Hideo Kojima has addressed recent reports claiming that The Matrix creators, Lilly and Lana Wachowski, once approached Konami with a video game pitch during his tenure there. Kojima took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to express his surprise, stating he had no prior knowledge of such a conversation and found the stories about him being asked to work on a Matrix game adaptation unexpected.
“I was surprised to see on social media that the Wachowski sisters had ‘offered me a Matrix game project!’ back in 1999,” Kojima wrote. “In all these 26 years, no one ever told me such a conversation had taken place. At the time, we were mutual fans and exchanged emails. The Matrix hadn’t been released in Japan yet, but I had already seen it in theaters in the US and at a preview screening. When the Wachowskis came to Japan for promotion, I believe I met them three times.”
Kojima clarified that there was no mention of a Matrix video game offer during their meetings. He noted that at the time, he was deeply engrossed in developing Metal Gear Solid 2. He pondered, “If someone had told me, maybe there could’ve been a way to make it work.”
The original interview from Time Extension mentioned a meeting between the Wachowskis and former Konami Digital Entertainment CEO, Kazumi Kitaue. However, Kojima stated he was not present for this particular discussion, arriving at Konami headquarters only after it had concluded. While Kojima and the Wachowskis did eventually meet and discuss the common themes in their respective works, he suggested that some details from over 25 years ago might have become muddled with time.
Despite the unfulfilled potential of a Kojima-directed Matrix game, several video games based on the franchise were eventually developed. More recently, in 2021, Epic Games showcased an impressive Unreal Engine 5 tech demo set within The Matrix’s iconic cyberpunk universe.
Looking to the future of the film series, a fifth Matrix movie is currently in development. However, the Wachowskis will not be at the helm for this installment. Drew Goddard, known for writing “The Martian,” is set to direct and pen the script. It remains uncertain whether beloved cast members like Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, or any of the newer characters introduced in 2021’s “The Matrix Resurrections,” will feature in this upcoming film.