Neil Patrick Harris
After 19 years of silence the world of The Matrix is set to be resurrected with the next instalment in the franchise. Developed in the creative mind of Lana Wachowski The Matrix: Resurrections is set to continue the story of Thomas Anderson/Neo & further expand on the iconic film series, which has become iconic within the trans community.
In a recent phone interview with Pario Neil Patrick Harris, who is a new addition to the franchise, spoke about his love for the franchise, his admiration for Lana Wachowski, his role in the film & whether the film can meet expectations.
During our conversation Neil explained how he learned about the film & eventually came to join the cast.
"I had no idea it was happening at all until I got a phone call from a friend asking if I would be willing to have a conversation with Lana Wachowski about 'a thing' - didn't know what that meant but I was very anxious to talk with Lana because we'd never met but I was a huge fan of her work & her stories. We had a virtual meeting, which was very Matrix, to talk things through. We got along really well & she asked if I would come to San Francisco to work with her on a project which turned out to be this. So that was my red pill moment & down the rabbit hole I went."
The opportunity to work alongside & spend time speaking with Lana Wachowski was also incredibly special for Neil he said, "As a trans woman she is very special... When I was talking with Lana I could tell that her evolution in her own life had really been formed through storytelling & I got a big appreciation for the way she tells stories."
According to Neil he wasn't the only person on set who felt this was a special moment in time.
"It felt so special for everybody involved. I can't tell if that was because it was the next iteration of these characters after such a long time off or whether it was that anyone who was around her Midas touch turns to gold. Watching a crew who would do anything for her & her process was so unique. It was unlike any other director I have worked with. To make a movie of this scale in her singular head was nothing short of miraculous if I'm being honest."
For his role in the film as Thomas Anderson's psychiatrist Neil chuckled when he told Pario that he drew inspiration from his own therapist, "I was tasked with being a voice of calm so I tried to shine as that. Lana really wanted me to bring that calm & mature side out of me... It was my Bob Ross moment."
On the expectations that this film is facing given its iconic stature in the trans community Neil said, "It is hard to judge expectations a whole but I can certainly say that the cinematic style of this movie is vastly different from the first, which was super intentional.
"There was all artificial lighting in the first Matrix, so much so they blocked out all natural sunlight because they wanted it to feel manufactured. The opposite is very much true in this film - you'll see beams of natural light hanging through the window. We would film at 6:30 in the morning when the light would come in through the window in that exact way. So I think this will be a very special piece of art to witness.
"I also think that is very metaphoric to Lana & her ascension, she is very much about bright light & the reality of filming the world right now in a way that I don't think she was 20 years ago."
To close out our interview we had to ask Neil if he was team red pill or team blue pill.
"I speak a lot about encouraging everyone to go out of their comfort zone to try anything," he answered. "I feel that is what adds a depth of flavour to one's life. The more experiences, the more immersion, the more travel, the more points of reference & perspectives you can have the better. So I'm team red pill for sure!"
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