Star-studded ‘Matrix Resurrections’ U.S. premiere in San Francisco a dream come true for director

“The Matrix Resurrections” cast in front of the Castro Theater: Jada Pinkett-Smith (left), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Eréndira Ibarra, Jonathan Groff, Jessica Henwick, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss , plus director Lana Wachowski. Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

It took months of work – between the City of San Francisco, Warner Bros., and the good folks at the Castro Theater – and featured many movie stars, starting with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss. But the US premiere of “The Matrix Resurrections”, partly shot in San Francisco, on Saturday, December 18, was primarily a tribute to the visionary director Lana Wachowski.

Twenty-five years ago she and her sister Lilly Wachowski – then known as the Wachowski Brothers – had a Bay Area premiere of “Bound” in the historic Castro Film Palace during Frameline, the biggest LGBTQ + film festival worldwide. Lana, a transgender resident in San Francisco, who was directing this time alone, was determined to bring the latest chapter in the “Matrix” series to her favorite theater, which will be 100 years old next year.

“In high school, I struggled with my identity. I went to the movies with popcorn and sticky bottoms and it was a kung fu movie and I knew everything would be fine, ”she told the crowd. “I didn’t think I could become a Hollywood director. I didn’t think I could be a transgender woman and a director. “

Lana Wachowski comes to the premiere of “The Matrix Resurrections” at the Castro Theater. Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

The Castro demonstration of “Bound” helped her “imagine another outcome for my life,” she continued. And now: “I would like to say ‘thank you’ to this beautiful city, in which I fell in love with my wife 20 years ago.”

Karin Wachowski, who was in attendance, is an executive producer on the film.

Undoubtedly, the premiere of “The Matrix Resurrections” was a more gigantic affair than “Bound”. Castro Street was cordoned off in front of the theater and the security precautions were strict, even SWAT team members were stationed on the roof.

“It’s like the president is coming,” said a Castro employee.

A video was projected on the front of the theater and people unable to get tickets for the special screening could wait in a “fan zone” for Reeves and his cast to wave their hands and maybe sign autographs.

The crowd in the “fan zone” watches as the actors arrive. Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Mayling Suazo was right at the front of the fan zone with books, magazines and a “John Wick 3” Blu-ray with Reeves. Suazo and her husband drove out of Sacramento that morning to get a seat, even though they didn’t have tickets, in hopes of getting Reeves’ attention.

“Maybe he’ll sign my album,” said Suazo.

Fans started gathering as early as 9 a.m. for the 7 p.m. event. Castro Theater owner Steve Nasser, whose grandfather built the theater, which opened in 1922, bought coffee for everyone who got there early.

“This is one of the biggest premieres we’ve ever had,” said Nasser. “It cuts right at the top with ‘Milk’ premiering,” he noted, referring to Gus Van Sant’s 2008 biopic, in which Sean Penn played San Francisco-based gay politician Harvey Milk.

Keanu Reeves arrives at the Castro Theater for “The Matrix Resurrections”. Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

The premiere and after-party, which included Waterbar and Epic Steak along the Embarcadero with nightly fireworks in the bay, was filled with celebrities: Reeves, Moss, Wachowski, Neil Patrick Harris, Yahya Abdul Mateen II from the Bay Area, Jonathan Groff, the new star Jessica Henwick, Jada Pinkett-Smith and son Jaden Smith, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and husband Nick Jonas, the Mayor of San Francisco London Breed and even former San Francisco Giants player Hunter Pence who spent the night with his wife Alexis Cozombolidis danced in the waterbar.

Wondering what the fireworks display is all about? It’s for the #Matrix US premiere in SF 🎆🎇 pic.twitter.com/kV3We05a8T

– Mariecar Mendoza (@SFMarMendoza) December 19, 2021

Speaking at the Castro’s opening address, Breed noted that “when The Matrix was filmed in San Francisco, Lana Wachowski committed herself to that city and committed to doing more.” That meant creating jobs, even for some local kids from Opportunities for All, a youth development program in San Francisco who served as paid interns.

Wachowski responded by thanking the mayor, who makes a cameo in the film, for “turning no to yes” during filming across town.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II at the screening of “The Matrix Resurrections” at the Castro Theater. Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

Reeves, who was particularly shy about public appearances, also enthusiastically thanked San Francisco on stage before quickly passing the microphone over to Moss, who was delivering one of the most moving speeches of the evening. Although in constant demand since her breakthrough with the first Matrix in 1999, which starred in two Marvel series – Jessica Jones and Daredevil – and many other film and television projects, she didn’t become the breakout star some have predicted.

“The Matrix Resurrections” should dispel all doubts: at 54 she still has it. In fact, her pairing with Reeves, 57, makes the film one of the few action franchises with a middle-aged romance.

Carrie-Anne Moss arrives for the premiere of “The Matrix Resurrections” at the Castro Theater. Photo: Santiago Mejia / The Chronicle

“I didn’t know how much I needed to be Trinity again,” she said of her Matrix character. “I hope from the bottom of my heart that you love the film as much as I made it. It was such a nice experience with Lana and all the beautiful artists who made this film. “

“The Matrix Resurrections” (R) opens in theaters on Wednesday December 22nd.