Lilly Wachowski Says She’s Done With The Matrix Franchise

More than 27 years after The Matrix changed Hollywood and launched the filmmaking careers of sisters Lilly and Lana Wachowski, Lilly says she has no plans to return to the franchise as a director.

Speaking on KCRW’s The Business on Friday, Lilly made it clear that she is ready to move on from the world of The Matrix. Warner Bros. is developing another movie in the franchise, but Lilly said she personally does not want to direct it.

“Warner Bros., they wanna make another thing. They’re always gonna wanna make another thing,” she said. “Personally, I don’t wanna play in that sandbox anymore. I’m kinda done.”

However, Lilly has not completely walked away from the upcoming project. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Drew Goddard is writing and directing the next Matrix movie, and Lilly said he wants the Wachowskis’ approval before moving ahead.

“There may be a thing that’s happening with Drew Goddard, and he doesn’t wanna go forward unless he gets our blessing,” Lilly explained.

She said she and Lana may have some involvement in deciding whether to give Goddard their approval, although nothing has been finalized.

“So, it could be something that’s coming down the road, but it’s still unknown,” she said.

A New Chapter for The Matrix

Lilly and Lana Wachowski wrote and directed the original The Matrix, released in 1999. The film became a major cultural phenomenon and was followed by The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions in 2003.

Lana later directed The Matrix Resurrections in 2021 without Lilly.

In 2024, it was reported that Warner Bros. had hired Drew Goddard to write and direct a new Matrix film. Lana Wachowski is attached as an executive producer.

While Lilly appears reluctant to return to directing the franchise, her comments suggest the sisters could still have a say in its future.

For now, though, Lilly is focused on a very different project. She is working to secure financing for The Hunted, a dystopian political thriller that is planned to feature an all-trans cast.

For Lilly Wachowski, the future seems to be less about returning to the world that made her famous and more about creating something new.