'The Matrix': Subtext That Is 'Baked Into The Franchise' Discussed Before Release Of Fourth Film

"The Matrix" franchise has kept fans' attention since the first film was released in 1999. The series, which follows Neo (Keanu Reeves), Trinity (Carrie-Ann Moss), Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), and others has continued to inspire conversations due to the thought-provoking scripts that were penned by Lana and Lilly Wachowski.

Now, ahead of the release of "The Matrix 4," which has a scheduled release date of May 21, 2021, Lilly spoke about her private struggles that were woven into the plot of the first film.

According to the Hollywood Reporter, the director revealed that a good portion of "The Matrix" was "born out of a lot of anger and a lot of rage, and it's [sic] rage at capitalism and corporatized structure and forms of oppression."

Continuing, she added that a lot of it came as a result of the "bubbling, seething rage within me was about my own oppression, that I [was forcing] myself to remain in the closet."

Her statement references the fact that she came out as transgender in 2016. In a statement given to the Windy City Times, she shared that her decision to speak about her transition had not initially been planned at that particular time and had instead occurred after a reporter from the Daily Mail had visited her home to request an interview.

READ: 8 Facts About 'The Matrix' Movies That Will Surprise Fans Of The Franchise

As a result of her personal struggle, the Hollywood Reporter states that the films exhibit "a lot of subtext baked into the franchise about the spectrum of gender and the trans experience."

As for what the future holds for "The Matrix 4," Variety reports that Warner Bros. paused production due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Prior to the hiatus, filming had begun on the sci-fi/action movie and the cast had been preparing to shoot scenes in Berlin. Following President Donald Trump's travel restrictions, the movie was paused indefinitely and it remains unclear whether or not the planned 2021 release will be impacted.