Twenty years after playing the hacker hacker Trinity for the first time in The Matrix, Moss is returning to his role in The Matrix: Resurrection. Thankfully, she was not required to wear high heels this time...
Last modified on Saturday, December 11, 2021 05.16 EST
When the Matrix asks us to take the red pill again on December 22nd, the 54-year-old Carrie-Anne Moss will return to the role that made her famous. Moss first played Trinity in 1999, a villain on a motorcycle and a hacker wearing PVC. Although this role did not survive the original trilogy, she returned with her co-star Keanu Reeves , Starred in the fourth "The Matrix" Resurrection, directed by Lana Wachowski, this time without her sister Lily. Moss was born in Canada and started her career as a model. Before the great success of The Matrix, she played several small roles in TV and movies. She played Marvel’s first on-screen lesbian character Jeri Hogarth in the Netflix TV series Jessica Jones, and runs a business called Annapurna Living away from the performance world. The "Labor of Love" lifestyle site. She lives in rural California with her husband and three children, which means that she cannot see the current fashion trends inspired by Matrix, such as big boots and small sunglasses on the street.
Was it a difficult decision to return to the Matrix world? Oh no. I am very excited about this prospect. This is something I never thought would happen. People mentioned it to me by the way, and I kept thinking:'Impossible. Will never happen. '
There are obvious reasons for this, mainly because the Trinity died in the third movie. When myself, Lana, Keanu, and a few others sat together and read it for the first time, I was thinking:'What will this look like? How will she do this? This is something I never thought of, and I was really shocked.
"The Matrix" came out in 1999, but since then it has almost always been a part of cultural dialogue. What is it like to play such an important role in it? This is really interesting. I am absolutely honored to be in a movie that has such an impact, and I have great respect for my role in that story. I also have my own personal life, which does not include any of these, so I don't really feel the influence of culture. At the same time, when I did feel its weight, I was very touched that I was chosen to be the part of this movie and what it means to people. I will not take it lightly. This is not just some of the work I have done. When I made the first Matrix, it really seemed to have a great impact on women. Women will come to me, female directors and stunt actors, and they will thank me for opening this door. So I treat it with reverence and deep respect. I respect this role more than any role I have ever played. I chose not to play a similar role. I don't want to give the hard work and beautiful art of Lana and Lily to any other filmmaker.
Do you have many characters like Trinity? It did happen, and then it became very clear. I don’t think anyone will even approach me through anyone, because I’m like: I don’t do that. I think many people understand that I don't want to stereotype myself, it has nothing to do with stereotypes. This is only related to my respect for filmmakers and films, and I don't want to sell it. This is a wise choice. I am very grateful now, go around and enter it again. For me it has a real purity.
What do you think those women thank you for? I have no idea. When I made the first movie, I was super young; I didn't really understand all the different things that were happening, it was just a whirlwind. When I saw this movie, I was shocked by it. I have never seen myself like this on a big screen. One thing I like about the Trinity has to do with the gaze of the filmmaker. This is Lana and how she shoots. She likes the Trinity very much. In hindsight, I really appreciate it. I don't think she is too sexy, and I think if they are looking for that, they will not choose me anyway. In Hollywood words, I am grateful that it has not moved in that direction.
I have seen an interview you did when the first Matrix was released, and you talked about trying to shoot high heels scenes, which is a problem for you. I checked the trailer for "Resurrection" and Trinity appeared to be wearing flat boots. Is that progress? In the first scene, there was a scene where they put me on a kind of stilettos, and I couldn't do that. I had auditioned for that scene, and then suddenly it was the day of shooting, I was very unstable. This is everything in the nightclub, I whispered in that guy's ear, I should be very down-to-earth and strong, but I can hardly stand upright. So they took off those and gave me a pair of boots with nice solid heels.
Well, shoes are very important. Yes. Personally, I am a clog girl.
What do you need to do to return to the Trinity Mode? A lot of preparation is physical training. I want to lose weight, I want to gain strength, I want to learn to fight, and I want to mentally prepare for the big scene. In the months before it, it was a lot of physical labor, entering the Trinity in a way that was not what I was trying to be who I was, instead of trying to be 30, or trying to have my body when I was 30 Yes, at the same time, I am very gentle with myself. When I gave birth, I gained weight and it took me several years to recover to a body that made me feel strong and comfortable.
I wonder if it is more important than having female action heroes in their 40s, 50s and 60s? For a long time, male actors have been normal, but I think nowadays few people would disdain women playing these roles. I really didn't think too deeply. Except for my own personal journey, I don't want to add any despair to myself, because in a way, I feel that I am doing all women my age, they [once] 30 years old, it is a kind of injury. My feeling about Trinity is that it's not just about me, and I keep this in mind. If I show up suddenly, I'm like...I don't even know what it will look like, but let's be realistic, it's not easy to see ourselves on the screen. It was not easy when I was 30. But what I am happy about seeing this movie is that I didn't even really think about it.
How true is the rumor that Keanu Reeves is the best man in the film industry? Ha ha! He is a very kind person and he is very good at his job. He is very dedicated and disciplined. He worked harder than anyone I have ever met. It is pure pleasure to work with him again in this way. As if no time passed. We all have friends like this, where you can continue to learn from where you left off. He is a good listener. It's really cute to be with someone who listens to him. His hearing is very attentive. He deserves all the good news about his compassion and kindness.
You said you decided not to play a role like Trinity, but recently there is an authority clue in your role. You are a human doctor, Jessica Jones' lawyer...well, I think the common denominator is who is playing them.
They all look like you. It’s interesting to me that [Jerry Hogarth in Jessica Jones] was originally a man. This character is written as a man, and when I talk to them about it, I don't want them to change too much. I like this idea, she has this stereotyped male energy. It was fun to play. In fact, I really like this. This is my first [big] job after giving birth. When I got that job and went to New York, I seemed to walk into a whole new world, with technology and all these things. I can't even order coffee! This is really a culture shock. My partner Krysten Ritter (Krysten Ritter), I always ask her something, she helped me put Uber on my phone, some small things, but New York is a real learning curve for me. This is harsh. I am very comfortable at home, so I stepped out of my comfort zone.
To me, you don't look like a very Hollywood person. I was never really interested in these. I have never been to anything in Hollywood, a premiere or event or anything else, unless I participate in it, or I support a friend. Sometimes at the beginning, my team will say: "Maybe she will do that." I will say: "I don't want to wear clothes, what I want to wear, I don't know how to make up, and I don't know how to make hair." Don't know what to do, it's okay. I would rather be at home with my family any day. I really work hard to have this closely connected family life, which means a lot to me. Not because it is perfect or simple, but because it belongs to me, in my heart. When I go to work, I always like it in the end because you are forced to leave your comfort zone. It is so healthy. But when I get home, I like my simple life.
"The Matrix: Resurrection" will be released in the UK on December 22.