Matrix 4 Is Officially Happening, Plus 9 Movie Sequels That Are in the Works Behind the Scenes

The idea of making sequels to popular movies is almost as old as moviemaking itself, but it really took off in the 1970’s when movies got the idea to make numbered sequels, like The Godfather 2 or French Connection II. And Hollywood hasn’t taken a break since then. For a more modern take, the world of The Matrix is also returning to theaters with a fourth film, after 2 previous sequels, The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions. Hollywood loves keeping a good story going and it’s not the only movie with a follow-up in the works.

We at Bright Side love the art of moviemaking and so we’re sharing a list of films that are currently in the making.

There is going to be a fourth Matrix film... and Keanu Reeves is coming back.

Warner Brothers is developing the fourth Matrix film in the series, with actors Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss both expected to return. While the Wachowski siblings were behind the original trilogy, only Lana Wachowski was attached to the upcoming project. At this time, a lot of information about the upcoming film, including the movie’s name and the release date, is currently unknown.

As mentioned, the fourth film in The Matrix series is not the only sequel in development. A lot of sequels to popular, classic movies are in production and might be coming to a theater sometime soon.

1. Coming to America / Coming 2 America

In the original Coming to America, Eddie Murphy played an African prince who runs away to America to escape an arranged marriage and find a girl who really loves him. And what better place to find his queen than in Queens...New York, that is! In the end, he found his true love and his happy ending, but it seems the story isn’t over. A sequel is in the works, according to Murphy who teased about it on Twitter. According to IMDB, the plot will revolve around Prince Akeem returning to America to find a long-lost heir with much of the original cast expected to return.

2. Bill and Ted / Bill & Ted Face the Music

Let’s face it, there’s no such thing as too much Keanu Reeves. According to IMDB, the famous duo, who traveled through time and fought literal death itself, will return in Bill & Ted Face the Music, where they will face the greatest challenges of all: middle age and parenthood... and also have to write a song that will save all life on Earth. The original Wild Stallions even announced the upcoming movie on YouTube.

3. Top Gun / Top Gun: Maverick

Tom Cruise is making a return to TOPGUN, the United States Navy Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor program for the sequel film. According to IMDB, much of the original plot is currently under wraps, but it is believed that Cruise’s character, Captain Pete “Maverick” Mitchell, will be a flight instructor. The movie was originally intended to have a 2019 release, but was later pushed back to 2020.

4. Avatar / Avatar 2 / Avatar 3

James Cameron’s sci-fi epic was certainly big enough to launch a franchise and it might soon be one. A sequel to the movie, in which humans make contact with alien creatures called the Na’vi through body avatars, is planned for a late 2021 release, with a third film following afterward. That said, it’s a little unclear what the plot will be like, although most of the characters are expected to return.

5. Murder on the Orient Express / Death on the Nile

Agatha Christie’s man-of-mystery Hercule Poirot is returning to the silver screen with Death on the Nile, where he’ll once again be played by Kenneth Branagh. With the film aiming for a 2020 release, it will serve as a sequel to 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express. If you just can’t get enough of Poirot, remember that both plots are based on Christie’s original books (and there are even books released in between the 2 in the series).

6. Space Jam / Space Jam 2

Kids of the 90s probably remember Michael Jordan’s brief trip to the world of Looney Tunes where he helped save them from aliens with a basketball game. This time LeBron James is expected to step into Jordan’s shoes. Ideas for a sequel to the 1996 film have actually been going around since the first film was released. At one point, it was going to be a Jackie Chan vehicle. Now, the new installment is expected for a 2021 release.

7. A Cinderella Story / A Cinderella Story: Christmas Wish

Nearly every country has its own version of the Cinderella story, and it’s been made into different versions since the 1800s. So it makes sense that this franchise would keep making new films on the topic. The fifth installment will be a Christmas special and will feature a cast of new characters. According to IMBD, Laura Marano will play the new Cinderella who falls in love with her co-worker at a Christmas village who is more than what he seems, all the while contending with her evil step-mother and sisters.

8. Wonder Woman / Wonder Woman 1984

Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman is returning to theaters in 2020 with a sequel film. While the 2017 film showed the ageless Amazon taking on World War I, the sequel’s title suggests the new film will take place a few decades later. A third film is also planned for the superheroine.

9. Frozen / Frozen II

Disney’s take on the Snow Queen fairy tale is getting another installment. Frozen II is expected to explore the origin of Queen Elsa’s powers, with much of the original voice cast returning. The film is expected for release on November 22, 2019.

What are some other sequels in the works that you’ve heard of and are excited for? Please share with us in the comments!