In response to the news, Lilly Wachowski stated that she was unable to return for the fourth film due to her role in producing the TV series "Work in Progress", although she expressed approval of the film's creation without her involvement. In addition to Reeves and Moss, Jada Pinkett Smith will return as Niobe, along with Lambert Wilson as The Merovingian and Daniel Bernhardt as Agent Johnson. Other confirmed roles include newcomers to the series Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Jessica Henwick as the film's leads, as well as actors Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Toby Onwumere, Eréndira Ibarra, Priyanka Chopra, and Andrew Caldwell. Production on the film began in February 2020, and is currently scheduled for release on December 22, 2021.