Wednesday, May 2, 2001 Xbox gets Matrix: Well, Microsoft has gone and done it. They have alienated millions of Matrix fans by making The Matrix video game exclusive to Xbox for the first six months of its release. This means that no PC version for half a year, and no GameCube version either. I don't mention PS2 because it is highly unlikely any port will be made to PS2 due to the difficulty of programming. Anywho, here is the word from IGN Xbox:
Through a regulatory filing today, it was revealed that Microsoft will be loaning $5 million to Interplay in exchange for Shiny's The Matrix being exclusive to the console for about six months. But wait, it gets even better.
In the report, it was stated that the game would feature online play only through the Xbox, and more extras than other versions. These include using actual Woo Ping choreography, the actual actors providing voices to the characters, and more music tracks from the film's composer in addition to more vehicles, weapons, and video. Also, Interplay will be spending $500,000 to develop online features for the game that will only be available to Xbox owners.
The report stated that the game would be release no more than three months after The Matrix II is released in theaters next summer.
There was one more interesting nugget of information in the report. It stated that Interplay has agreed to pay $5 to $7 per unit of Xbox software as their royalty to Microsoft, which is less than the average PlayStation 2 royalty that chimes in at $8 to $10 per unit of software.
We'll have more on this major story as soon as it is available.
--Jeremy Conrad, IGN Xbox
We can only hope that Microsoft's grip loosens after the six month period so that people like me, in college and short of greenage and sticking with Nintendo (the lowest priced and best software of the bunch), will be able to play this game.
Friday, April 20, 2001 Keanu is a good man: Fans had lined up at 8:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, and the Dogstar performance at Backbeat in Santa Clara 13 hours later was "awesome," said owner George Karpaty. But what was even more impressive than the band's performance -- "they did a great job; the crowd went crazy" -- was the decency of its most famous member.
A friend's 12-year-old daughter, who had been ill, is a major Keanu Reeves fan, so Karpaty called the star's managers to see if he would meet her before the show. "He took it to the next level," said Karpaty. When the girl, who had seen "Matrix" seven times, showed up with posters and pictures and cameras, Reeves signed autographs and posed for pictures with her, put her in his lap and gave her one of his guitar picks. When Karpaty thanked him, "he thanked me for the opportunity of meeting her."
After the show, Reeves hung around, signed autographs and partied with the staff. "I've done concerts with a lot of people," said Karpaty, "and it's not always that way. He's not full of himself."
Monday, April 16, 2001 No Joke Today Folks!: Today, possibly due to Easter Weekend, there is no NEW news based on the Matrix. In the meantime, sign up for the FORUMS by clicking the image to the right, and take a look at my fanart. I drew Neo and Trinity in Matrix-Cartoon style about 2 years ago.
Wednesday, April 11, 2001 Matrix Spoofs: I found a site dedicated to Matrix spoofs at http://www.MatrixSpoof.com. Some of them are really funny.
Friday, April 6, 2001 Keanu suffers a tragicloss:Keanu's Reeves's girlfriend has been killed in a car accident.
Jennifer Syme, a 29-year-old record industry worker, died instantly when she was thrown from her car after hitting three parked cars at 6.20am on Monday morning. The Matrix star was reportedly devastated after her mother broke the news to him. The couple were heartbroken last year when Syme gave birth to their stillborn baby girl. The pair had no plans to marry at the time and after the birth their relationship cooled. But they weathered the tragedy and their relationship grew stronger.
We here at MatrixFans.net wish Keanu well and are praying for the soul of Jennifer Syme. May her soul, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
Saturday, February 10, 2001 Video Game license Awarded: According to ComingSoon.net., Irvine-based Interplay Entertainment has been awarded the videogame license to "The Matrix," one of the hottest movie licenses and the crown jewel of Warner Bros. Properties. Variety reports that the terms of the multimillion-dollar licensing deal are not known, but they are expected to rival fees paid by Electronic Arts for "The Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter," which were in the $8 million - $10 million range. The deal is expected to allow Interplay to create several game titles based on "The Matrix" franchise. Laguna Beach-based Shiny Entertainment, which has a publishing and distribution agreement with Interplay, is developing at least one next-generation vidgame based on the license. The Wachowski brothers, writers-directors of "The Matrix," apparently visited Shiny's headquarters on numerous occasions last year to oversee development of the game, reports the trade. They are expected to continue to do so now that shooting has begun on the two sequels in and around an old naval base in Oakland.
Sunday, August 20, 2000 InQuest Gamer: InQuest Gamer #65 has a four page spread on the Matrix CCG calling it the "Coolest card game you'll never see." But with two more movies coming and a separate timelined video game coming, a CCG is not a bad idea at all if it was going to be released around March 2003. That way it could incorporate ideas from the new game and Film, with new characters and locations adding more playability. My vote is for Decipher to make it. They have rights to Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, and a few others.
Sunday, July 30, 2000 Matrix 2.0: See a spoof of the pre-production of The Matrix 2 and 3 at pointlesswasteoftime.com [check it out!]
Video Game: Matrix-Trilogy.net fights the elements to bring you this big news: Shiny Entertainment has been given the rights to make the official Matrix video game. They are behind such games as Messiah, Earthworm Jim, MDK, Wild 9, and the upcoming Sacrifice!
Look, It's Boba Fett:
Friday, July 28, 2000 Variety:"Much like 'Lord of the Rings,' keeping the stories straight is half the battle. Originally, the Wachowski's wanted to do the second pic as a prequel, but the end of the first pic seemed to lead directly to a sequel." (Variety in reference to shooting more than one film at the same time.)
New Line is producing The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Warner Bros: The Matrix Trilogy. Fox: The X-Men Trilogy.
All are going into the trilogy market thinking the same thing: It isn't often when a Star Wars type situation comes around, let's not screw this up!
The Funniest Matrix Spoof on the web. This film is Hilarious! Download it here!
Friday, July 14, 2000 Mouse is in SW2: The Official Star Wars website has Mouse cast as a character in Star Wars: Episode II. His role may be small, but he's in!
Saturday, June 24, 2000 Man dies re-enacting Matrix: A man was killed by a speeding train when he tried to re-enact a scene from The Matrix, according to The Sun. Martin Nutt stood in front of the train just hours after seeing a character survive being hit by a train when he watched the sci-fi thriller in a nearby cinema.
An inquest heard that the 29-year old, who suffered from a personality disorder, was killed instantly. Martin, of Southend, Essex, had also developed an obsession for a young girl. The inquest delivered an open verdict. [Originally reported by Empire Online]
Sunday, June 18, 2000 Perfect Dark:The Matrix is in the Details! In the Multiplayer, play the level called "GRID" and go down the elevator. When you step off, pause the game. Make sure to have your Matrix video or DVD paused at the part just after Neo and Trinity get on the elevator and the door closes. It is almost exactly the same!
Wednesday, June 14, 2000 Computer Boy!: I'm just emailing to let you know about Computer Boy. A 50min spoof of "The Matrix" filmed at actual shooting locations (here in Australia) and made for just over $2000AUS. It's currently on the Ifilm website at:
Thursday, May 25, 2000 The Lord of the Rings: Hugo Weaving is Elrond:A TheOneRing.net contributor revealed a few more goings-on from the Lord of the Rings production today. It sounds as if the 6'4" actor Hugo Weaving, best known as Agent Smith from The Matrix but now donning the role of the Elven king Elrond, is a great fellow to shoot a movie with.
"But all in all, the extras have reported time and time again, that two of the nicest guys to work with have been Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn), who would come down to the pub afterwards with the lads for a drink, and Hugo Weaving, who lines up with the extras during dinner time. That is, no sign of Hollywood down under. Just people doing their jobs."
Thursday, May 18, 2000
'Neo: A Matrix Musical' on Stage in Chicago
If you happen to be in the Chicago area this weekend and you're in the mood for a few laughs, you might want to stop by the Live Bait Theater on North Clark and check out NEO: A MATRIX MUSICAL. The Chicago Sun Times lists the show as "somewhat recommended", so it can't be all that bad.
The performance features choreographed segments supported by the soundtrack from THE MATRIX, various disco songs and some selections from WEST SIDE STORY and THE LITTLE MERMAID. One of the highlights is a ballet interpretation of the scene where Trinity escapes from the agents, performed to the tune of TONIGHT from WEST SIDE STORY. Other segments include, Neo singing "The Whoa Song" and an appearance by the Oracle as the disco queen. Plus, there's an interesting turn of events in which Switch is brought back, except now she's interested in Trinity.
The Matrix took home all of the Special Effects and Sound Oscars at the recent Academy Awards. Duplicating those effects on stage seems impossible, but the cast of Neo! A Matrix Musical manages some clever alternate ways to suspend actors above the ground, among other tricks. The 60-minute show is more of a homage than a spoof, but the pokes at movie star Keanu Reeves are the best ("Whoa"). The fights are top notch, and the songs and dance numbers pop in when you'd expect the big action sequences. A fun and energetic show, Neo! is a good first effort from Bulldog 17. --Fred Mowery Adapted by Fred"erick" Garcia. All songs written by Fred"erick" Garcia. Music arranged by Janina Gavankar. Fight & Dance Choreography by Joel Maisonet & Fred"erick" Garcia. Cast: Gregory Lance Williams, Paul Vitulli, Tracy Tanguay, Ryan C. LaFleur, Marisa Paonessa, Alphie Jimenez, Micah Smyth, and Janine Bobko (replacing Tracy Tanguay).
Friday, May 5, 2000 Newsweek: May 1, 2000 "Step Aside, 'Star Wars' "The Matrix is Everywhere," says a character in the film. "It is all around us." No kidding. Its six MTV Movie Award Nominations aren't quite as prestigious as the four Oscars it swiped in March, but it's one more sign that, 13 months after it hit theaters, "The Matrix" still has our culture in its grasp.
DVD: By far the highest-selling title in the format's brief history. But more notably, says one industry analyst, "it's the movie that makes people think it's time to buy a DVD Player."
Commercials: Ad makers borrow liberally. Music and imagery have graced Nike ads ["the Mission"] and multiple car commercials.
Gear: You know a film's touched a nerve when people buy the chairs from it. The TR09 Trial is hot."
The TR09 Trial is made by Spanish firm Indecasa.
Monday, March 20, 2000 Matrix Prequel News: I reported this months ago but Countingdown.com also has it up now:
Thanks to Clare, from AICN:
I don't know if anyone already emailed you about this, but I just caught the very end of the interview that was on a local talk radio show 97.1 KLSX last night. They were talking to John Gaeta about the up coming Academy awards and such and then they mentioned Matrix 2 and 3. He also said there was also going to be a prequel that was going Anime. Gaeta also said it was going to be about the whole back story and how things started to go wrong. He said they were looking at how to release it, and said the Internet and DVD were two very strong possibilities. Sounded pretty cool. He also talked very non-descript about Matrix 2 and 3 and said not to worry the Wechowski brothers have something very cool planned with stuff that has never been seen before. Just thought you might like to know.
Saturday, March 4, 2000 X-Men movie costumes bases on Matrix: X-Men the Movie comes out this summer and recently X-Men artist Leinil Francis Yu was speaking about his new designs for X-Men characters in the comics. He said the X-Men movie's design is heavily inspired by The Matrix. Gambit was the first character he did, so "The Matrix" paramilitary design was quite apparent.
Thursday, March 2, 2000 The Lord of the Rings- Hugo Weaving: Two Australian actors have now apparently been cast in the upcoming LOTR trilogy. According to E! Online, actress Miranda Otto is set to takeover the role of Eowyn vacated by Uma Thurman a few weeks ago. Otto has starred in at least a dozen Australian feature films in the last decade, is best remembered for the lead role in the drama "Doing Time for Patsy Cline" and will soon be seen in the Harrison Ford drama "What Lies Beneath". Meanwhile the news that has got a lot of people excited is that actor Hugo Weaving ("The Matrix", "Priscilla") has joined on as Elrond, the elven leader. Thanks to Dark Horizons for the news
Tuesday, February 29, 2000
Carrie-Anne Moss: Wonder Woman? Part 2: Another magazine has picked Carrie-Anne Moss as a Wonder Women. This time it was Movieline. The March 2000 issue. They say that Sandra Bullock may be pursuing the role, as we all may know: Wonder Woman's body has some unrealistic sized proportions. Sandra Bullock may not be able to fill out the suit. Wonder Woman copyright 2000 DC Comics
Friday, February 25, 2000
Wizard Poll: WizardWorld.com com recently had a poll on the "Best Movie of 1999" and The Matrix came in first at 38%. Dogma and Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace tied in 2nd at 19% and in fourth came The Sixth Sense at 15%.
Saturday, February 5, 2000
Matrix takes BEEF! read on:
Wizard the comics magazine #102 March 2000 pg. 22 MORRISON CALLS IT QUITS Unhappy with DC, 'The Matrix,' writer vows no more comics.
Grant Morrison---unemployed?
That's right. The creater who reinvigorated the JLA franchise and wowed Vertigo readers with The Invisibles, announced he is quitting comics.
After claiming "The Matrix" movie was a rip-off of The Invisibles and having his pitch to revamp lagging Superman sales last year rejected, the British writer said he's through with comic writing for now.
(Skips ahead in article to get to Matrix part)
DC had no comment on Morrison's departure.
The writer also said he's had enough of people stealing his ideas and making money off of them. Morrison claims the Warner Bros. film "The Matrix" swiped concepts he created for The Invisibles---the comic published by DC's Vertigo line, a subsidiary of Warner Bros.
Morrison completes The Invisibles in April, his JLA run in March with issue #41, and already wrote a Marvel Boy mini-series for the Marvel Knights line set for summer. He intends to write a book and to work with Mark Millar on a movie script.
Obvious B.S. considering the Wachowski's wrote The Matrix in 1994, the same year the Invisibles began it's story. Unless the material Morrison refers to was published in 1994 or 1995, he stands no ground in this argument.
Wednesday, February 2, 2000
Super Bowl XXXIV commercial: AutoTrader.com used a "construct" to load up cars and people to show how easy it is to buy from them. This shows how big the Matrix got after it's release last year.
Entertainment Weekly:
Issue #524 for February 4, 2000, on pg. 14 under "ADULT TOYS" It talks about how weird it is that the Matrix Toys are Recommended For Mature Collectors. Nothin big.
» MATRIX TRILOGY
The Funniest Matrix Spoof on the web. This film is Hilarious! 
The Matrix took home all of the Special Effects and Sound Oscars at the recent Academy Awards. Duplicating those effects on stage seems impossible, but the cast of Neo! A Matrix Musical manages some clever alternate ways to suspend actors above the ground, among other tricks. The 60-minute show is more of a homage than a spoof, but the pokes at movie star Keanu Reeves are the best ("Whoa"). The fights are top notch, and the songs and dance numbers pop in when you'd expect the big action sequences. A fun and energetic show, Neo! is a good first effort from Bulldog 17. --Fred Mowery Adapted by Fred"erick" Garcia. All songs written by Fred"erick" Garcia. Music arranged by Janina Gavankar. Fight & Dance Choreography by Joel Maisonet & Fred"erick" Garcia. Cast: Gregory Lance Williams, Paul Vitulli, Tracy Tanguay, Ryan C. LaFleur, Marisa Paonessa, Alphie Jimenez, Micah Smyth, and Janine Bobko (replacing Tracy Tanguay).
Wonder Woman copyright 2000 DC Comics
