Joe Pantoliano has pitched Lana Wachowski about returning for 'The Matrix 4'

Joe Pantoliano has declared his interest in returning to The Matrix franchise.

Pantoliano, who played the villainous Cypher in the 1999 original, made this admission during a recent interview with Cinema Blend, admitting that he’s even gone as far as pitching his return to its director Lana Wachowski.

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After being asked whether he’d like to be involved in the hugely anticipated sci-fi blockbuster, Pantoliano declared, “Yeah I’d be interested,” before then admitting, “I doubt they’re going to be bringing me back. I’ve lobbied for it, believe me. I’ve sent little notes to Lana and asked her, to no response.”

Of course, the major reason why Pantoliano is unlikely to turn to his character is that his charachter was killed in the first film. That was only after he betrayed Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus, Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity, and Keanu Reeves’ Neo in an attempt to return to The Matrix.

There’s also the fact that production on The Matrix 4 had already been well under way since the beginning of February It had previously taken place in San Francisco, Germany, and Chicago, before ultimately being halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Very little is known about the release of The Matrix 4.

We do know that Lana Wachowski is directing the film alone, without the help of her sister Lily, while Reeves, Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lambert Wilson are reprising their characters. They’ll be joined by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Henwick, and Jonathan Groff, too.

At the moment, The Matrix 4 is due out on May 21, 2021, although, with production now delayed, it only seems likely that the release day will be pushed back, too.