The fourth film in "The Matrix" series has begun shooting in San Francisco — with star Keanu Reeves in tow.
As we reported last month, the film, produced by Warner Bros. under the moniker "Project Ice Cream,” is set to be released in May 2021. It will mostly be filmed at night around North Beach and the FiDi. Filming began this week, and should wrap up March 1, if all goes as planned.
The San Francisco Film Commission warned neighbors last month that the shoots will involve precision driving and crash stunts, simulated gunfire, helicopters flying less than 500 feet from the ground, pyrotechnics and smoke. Production will largely occur between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m.
But it appears that some scenes were shot around North Beach and Chinatown yesterday in broad daylight, with several people taking to social media to post videos and photos of Reeves.
Cafe Zoetrope, owned by Oscar-winning film director Francis Ford Coppola, posted a photo of Reeves shooting a scene in front of the restaurant, while being coached by "The Matrix"'s colorfully coiffed director, Lana Wachowski.
Film crews were also spotted in front of nearby Chinese restaurant House of Nanking.
Primeras imágenes de #KeanuReeves desde el set de #TheMatrix4!! pic.twitter.com/v9XKbNQZ91
— RetroFilm (@film_retro) February 6, 2020
KEANU'S BACK! We just had another Bay Area #KeanuReeves sighting - This time in Chinatown. https://t.co/gTYzTh5A3A
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) February 5, 2020
A few fans got a chance to take a photo with Reeves as well.
Junto a Keanu Reeves👍 #keanureeves 📸 alivelaa pic.twitter.com/G352XimZru
— Keanuital (@Keanuital) February 6, 2020
Stay tuned for more in the next few weeks about the film's production in and around San Francisco.