An author of a review article on ComicBook.com argues that the future of The Matrix franchise should not continue to rely on Neo's main storyline, but could instead draw inspiration from the anthology structure of The Animatrix, telling independent new stories through different characters, Matrix cycles, and corners of the world.
Released in 2003, The Animatrix consists of nine independent animated short films. Some stories take place concurrently with the live-action movies, while others trace the history of the Matrix's birth and the Machine War. The article regards it as the most unique yet relatively overlooked entry in the series.
The author argues that the anthology format not only fills in gaps in the world-building that live-action films struggle to accommodate, but also allows each story to shift between genres, themes, tones, and visual styles. The medium of animation also echoes the roots of The Matrix's creation, which was influenced by Japanese anime.
The article also draws a comparison with The Matrix Resurrections from 2021. The film's decision to bring back Neo and Trinity sparked mixed reactions: some viewers appreciated its satire of reboot culture, while others criticized the story for treading familiar ground.
Based on this comparison, the author also suggests the direction of filming a prequel about the Machine War. Drew Goddard is set to write and direct a new The Matrix film, though specific details about the project have not yet been revealed.