Some Comcast subscribers had early access to Peacock, so they’ve been able to watch films on the service for a few months. But it might seem odd that it’s jettisoning so many big movies so soon after the national launch.

Reps for NBCU haven’t yet confirmed to Engadget whether this is the case here, but it’s common for movies and shows to cycle in and out of streaming platforms, given various licensing agreements. That’s been the case for the likes of Netflix for quite some time. But even HBO Max and Disney+, whose parent companies own most of content on those platforms, have lost access to some films for a certain period of time.

There’s still plenty to keep you occupied on Peacock, given there’s over 13,000 hours of material on the free tier alone. Along with NBCU’s own properties, you can watch some movies and shows owned by ViacomCBS there too. But if you were looking to binge on the Matrix movies again ahead of the fourth installment, you’ll either have to act quickly to watch them on Peacock, or check them out elsewhere.

There still isn’t much known about the plot of the fourth movie, although its cast is filling out. Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are still the only returning actors known to have roles. Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Henwick (Nymeria from Game of Thrones) and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Us and Watchmen) are also slated to appear. Co-creator Lana Wachowski is also involved, although she’ll share production and writing duties this time around. If there’s any certainty, it’s that expectations and anxiety are equally high. This could breathe new life into The Matrix and its visions of robot-controlled virtual worlds, or it could be another flawed attempt to cash in on a beloved classic.

Variety sources claimed production will start in early 2020.

As to why they’re revisiting the series, besides money? Lana Wachowski argued that many of the themes from the original Matrix trilogy are “even more relevant” in the modern era. That’s not a far-fetched conclusion. Simulated worlds and artificial intelligence are playing ever more important roles in society. We’re already asking questions about reality and what it means to be human, and The Matrix could feel like a logical extension of that discussion.

The looming question (apart from whether or not it will be any good) revolves around picking up where the first three movies left off. The basic premise is easy — there were hints Neo might return after establishing a peace with the machines — but there are a lot unanswered questions. What upsets the truce (which, we’d add, persisted in Monolith’s The Matrix Online)? And how does Trinity come back? Whatever the answers, it’s safe to say a fourth Matrix movie could easily be a major draw given Keanu’s resurging popularity and the series’ enduring influence on philosophy, pop culture and beyond.

Tickets are available now through AMC (linked above).

This is a not-so-subtle plug for Dolby’s technology, and Warner Bros. certainly won’t object to wringing more money out of a 20-year-old movie. All the same, we wouldn’t object too loudly. This is your chance to relive the experience of watching the movie in 1999, when theater screens magnified its then-revolutionary special effects. And for many people, this will be their first chance to see the movie in theaters, full stop. There’s a whole generation that has only ever seen The Matrix on discs or digital services, and this might help explain the movie’s appeal (not to mention Keanu Reeves’ appeal) to older crowds.

Airbnb has a hidden-camera problem
Sidney Fussell,
The Atlantic

Airbnb may be a good alternative to staying in a pricey hotel, but the company is dealing with a hidden camera problem. The Atlantic takes a look a the issue and what Airbnb says its doing to fix it.