One in every of the most notable scenes in The Matrix options the character of Cypher (Joe Pantoliano) betraying the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar. The sequence depicts Cypher covertly assembly Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) at a restaurant within the Matrix. The essential scene reveals that Cypher is a traitor to the human resistance and plans to ship his chief, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), to the machine empire. Moreover, it exhibits Cypher, regardless of gaining his freedom from the machine empire and the Matrix, preferring the consolation of the simulated, false actuality of the pc program.
Curiously, the scene was practically minimize from the movie, and through manufacturing, star Keanu Reeves fought to maintain it. Pantoliano, having not learn the script, didn’t understand the significance of the scene for Cypher’s character arc. In one other amusing twist, the prop steaks utilized for the scene weren’t even actual steaks. It’s time to look again on the steakhouse scene in The Matrix.
Keanu Reeves Fought To Maintain the Steak Scene Intact
Regardless of the steakhouse scene’s significance to the film and the character of Cypher, Warner Bros. executives needed it minimize from the manufacturing earlier than it was shot. It was star Keanu Reeves who lobbied hardest to maintain the scene intact. Nonetheless, when this transpired, Pantoliano had not but learn the script and didn’t perceive the scene’s significance. Pantoliano defined in a September 2021 interview with The Independent, “They stated: ‘Keanu’s actually upset, and he’s telling them they can not minimize it. I stated: ‘Effectively, inform him to get the f*** over it. He is in 99 % of the film.’ They only began laughing as a result of they realized I hadn’t learn it.”
Pantoliano later joked round with Reeves at a celebration in regards to the steak scene, which bought awkward as a result of everybody there realized that Pantoliano by no means learn the script. Pantoliano knowledgeable The Impartial, “So I say to Keanu: ‘Hey, I’m glad they stored the steak scene! We’re gonna have some enjoyable with that!’ It goes so quiet you possibly can hear a pin drop, apart from the Wachowskis, who’re on the ground laughing with tears popping out of their eyes.” Pantoliano added, “Lastly, they’re in a position to catch their breath sufficient for Lana [Wachowski] to say: ‘He didn’t learn the f***ing script!'” Fortunately, the scene remained within the movie throughout manufacturing and remained intact for the ultimate minimize launched in theaters.
The Steaks Used for the Scene Have been Not Even Actual
It is fairly amusing that the prop steaks used for the sequence weren’t made out of actual beef. Pantoliano revealed in an October 2024 interview with Empire Magazine that the “steaks” utilized during the production have been made out of shiitake mushrooms. Pantoliano was not a fan of consuming beef, so the manufacturing crew created false steaks made out of shiitake mushrooms as a result of they regarded like steak. Different members of the movie crew then consumed the leftover prop steaks, not realizing they have been consuming fake steaks made out of mushrooms. Pantoliano defined, “Once we broke for lunch, lots of people have been consuming these leftover steaks. They will need to have had 100 of them!” It’s hilariously ironic as a result of, throughout the scene, Cypher takes a bit out of the steak, figuring out it’s a digitized program, and says, “Ignorance is bliss.” It additionally seems to be like ignorance was bliss for the crew members having fun with the leftover prop steaks.
Joe Pantoliano Thought the Scene Was a Manner for the Wachowskis To Playfully Make Enjoyable of Him
The steakhouse scene is essential because it reveals that Cypher can not address shedding the false actuality the Matrix offered him. He betrays his trigger and Morpheus to Agent Smith and the machine empire as a result of he needs to return to pc simulation’s pretend comforts, discovering the “freedom” of actuality too harsh. The scene will be seen as a broader commentary on human nature. Nonetheless, Pantoliano suspects Cypher’s assembly was a manner for administrators Lilly Wachowski and Lana Wachowski to playfully speak about him. The actor advised Inverse in an August 2024 interview about the iconic sequence, “I’ve all the time had a sneaking suspicion that the Wachwoskis have been speaking about me. I used to be blissfully ignorant in these days. And in addition the concept Cypher would minimize a deal the place he stated, ‘I need to be anyone essential like an actor.’ I all the time discovered that to be humorous.”
The Matrix is an all-time sci-fi classic, and it’s troublesome to think about the ultimate movie with out this superb scene. The great performing by Weaving and Pantoliano creates a superb scene that enhances the film’s broader themes and plot. It’s much more fascinating to be taught the scene was practically minimize, and Pantoliano initially didn’t understand how essential it could be to his general function.
The Matrix is out there to lease on Amazon within the U.S.
The Matrix
- Launch Date
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March 31, 1999
- Runtime
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136 minutes
