The Wachowski Sisters' New Reality: 5 Major Updates On Lana And Lilly's Post-Matrix Projects In 2025

Few filmmakers have reshaped the landscape of modern cinema with the philosophical depth and visual spectacle of the Wachowski Sisters, Lana and Lilly. As of December 15, 2025, the directing duo, famous for the revolutionary The Matrix franchise, have fully embraced their separate creative paths, with both sisters focusing on distinct, deeply personal projects that continue to explore themes of identity, technology, and liberation, albeit through different lenses.

The latest updates show a definitive shift from their previous joint blockbusters, with Lilly focusing heavily on executive producing and writing for queer, trans-centric stories, and Lana stepping back from the director's chair on the next major franchise installment. This new era sees the sisters cementing their individual legacies while remaining two of the most influential and visionary voices in contemporary filmmaking.

Lana and Lilly Wachowski: A Comprehensive Biography and Filmography

Lana and Lilly Wachowski are American film and television directors, writers, and producers, known collectively as "The Wachowskis." They are both openly trans women whose work is celebrated for its complex narratives, groundbreaking visual effects, and exploration of themes like gender, identity, and socio-political systems.

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• Lana Wachowski
  • Born: Larry Wachowski, June 21, 1965, in Chicago, Illinois.
  • Transition: Came out as a trans woman in 2012, becoming one of the first major Hollywood directors to do so.
  • Key Solo Work (Director/Writer): The Matrix Resurrections (2021).
  • Current Role (2025): Executive Producer on the upcoming Matrix 5.
• Lilly Wachowski
  • Born: Andrew "Andy" Wachowski, December 29, 1967, in Chicago, Illinois.
  • Transition: Came out as a trans woman in 2016, following threats of being outed by media outlets.
  • Key Solo Work (Writer/Producer): Co-creator, writer, and executive producer on the Showtime series Work in Progress (2019–2021).
  • Current Role (2025): Executive Producer on the short film Dolls (2025).
• Joint Directorial Filmography (as The Wachowskis)
  • Bound (1996)
  • The Matrix (1999)
  • The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
  • The Matrix Revolutions (2003)
  • Speed Racer (2008)
  • Cloud Atlas (2012, co-directed with Tom Tykwer)
  • Jupiter Ascending (2015)
  • Sense8 (2015–2018, TV Series)

1. Lilly Wachowski's New Queer Sci-Fi Film 'Dolls' Set for 2025 Release

The most concrete and exciting new project from either sister is Lilly Wachowski's executive producer role on the short film Dolls.

This sci-fi thriller, written and directed by Geena Rocero, is making waves in the independent film circuit.

The film, which features an all-trans cast, is a powerful example of Lilly's commitment to elevating trans voices and narratives within the industry, a theme she has championed since her transition.

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Dolls is confirmed to be screened at the Slovak Queer Film Festival in 2025 and has a reported release date of September 25, 2025.

This production aligns perfectly with Lilly's recent work on the dramedy series Work in Progress, which centered on a self-identified "queer dyke" and explored themes of mental health and identity with raw honesty. Her current focus is clearly on projects that champion marginalized communities, a significant evolution from the high-concept, multi-million dollar studio productions of the past like Jupiter Ascending.

2. The 'Trash Mountain' Directorial Debut is Off

Fans eagerly anticipating Lilly Wachowski's first solo directorial feature since the duo began working separately were met with disappointing news. The dramedy film Trash Mountain, which was to star and be written by comedian Caleb Hearon, is no longer her next project.

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While originally announced as her solo directorial debut, sources confirm that Lilly Wachowski has officially exited the project.

This shift is a notable development, suggesting a change in her immediate creative priorities, possibly to focus on the "million film and TV projects mostly about queer trans women" she mentioned in previous statements. The exit from a high-profile solo feature reinforces the idea that both sisters are prioritizing creative control and thematic relevance over traditional Hollywood career paths.

3. Lana Wachowski's Role in the Controversial 'Matrix 5'

Following the release of The Matrix Resurrections in 2021, Lana Wachowski made her position on returning to the franchise clear, but Hollywood had other plans. Warner Bros. announced a fifth Matrix film, which will mark the first time a mainline installment is directed by someone other than the Wachowski Sisters.

The new film will be directed by Drew Goddard, known for The Cabin in the Woods. Lana Wachowski, however, will remain involved as an executive producer.

This executive producer credit is a symbolic passing of the torch, allowing the franchise to continue while respecting Lana's artistic statement in Resurrections, which was widely seen as a commentary on the pressure to revive intellectual property.

Her decision not to direct suggests she is either taking a much-needed break or is developing an unannounced, original project outside of the franchise machine, a move that would be consistent with the duo's history of sudden, ambitious new ventures like Sense8 and Cloud Atlas.

4. The End of a Directing Duo: Separate Creative Trajectories

The most significant update in the Wachowski Sisters' narrative is the continued, definitive separation of their joint directorial careers. Since 2015's Jupiter Ascending, and the conclusion of Sense8, they have not announced any new joint feature film projects.

Lana directed The Matrix Resurrections solo, and Lilly has focused on producing and writing for television and independent film, including her work on Work in Progress and Dolls.

This split allows each sister to explore their unique creative interests, with Lilly gravitating toward smaller, more intimate queer narratives, and Lana seemingly taking a hiatus after her return to the Matrix universe. The sisters' individual pursuits are seen as a natural progression, enabling them to use their influence to uplift different facets of the filmmaking world.

5. The Enduring Legacy of Trans Allegory in Their Filmography

Even as they pursue separate paths, the Wachowski Sisters' collective filmography continues to be re-examined through the lens of their trans identities, adding layers of topical authority to their work. Films like The Matrix, with its themes of choosing a new reality (the red pill), escaping a false world, and bodily transformation, are now widely discussed as powerful trans allegories.

The character Switch in the original Matrix was famously intended to be a trans character, male in the real world and female inside the Matrix, a concept that was ahead of its time for 1999. Their later work, particularly Sense8, featured explicitly queer and trans characters, including a trans woman played by trans actress Jamie Clayton, making their commitment to representation undeniable.

The sisters have also used their platform for activism, including auctioning off Matrix memorabilia for trans youth organizations, demonstrating that their creative and personal lives are deeply intertwined with their commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.

As Lana and Lilly Wachowski move forward in 2025, their individual projects—from Lilly's queer sci-fi executive production of Dolls to Lana's continued involvement with the Matrix franchise—ensure their influence on cinema, technology, and social commentary remains as potent and relevant as ever. Their legacy is not just in special effects, but in the profound, philosophical questions they force audiences to confront about reality and identity.