Hideo Kojima, the acclaimed creator behind the "Metal Gear Solid" and "Death Stranding" franchises, recently addressed a long-standing rumor on social media: that "The Matrix" directors, the Wachowskis, had approached him in 1999 to develop a game adaptation, only for Konami executives to reject the proposal.
A recent report revealed that the Wachowskis had approached Kojima through Konami, hoping he would helm the game adaptation of "The Matrix." However, Konami executives reportedly rejected the offer outright. Following the report's circulation, Kojima took to social media, posting a lengthy English statement to clarify that he had no knowledge of such an offer at the time and had never received a formal invitation.
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter): "I was genuinely surprised when I saw on social media that 'the Wachowskis invited me to make a 'Matrix' game in 1999.' For 26 years, no one ever told me such a conversation took place."
Kojima further elaborated, recalling that "The Matrix" hadn't even premiered in Japan yet when he first saw it in a U.S. theater, leaving a profound impression on him. He later met the Wachowskis three times during their promotional visit to Japan, attending premieres and parties with them, yet the topic of a game collaboration never came up.
"At the time, I was incredibly busy, fully immersed in developing 'Metal Gear Solid 2,' so I might not have been able to take on that proposal immediately. However, if someone had actually told me back then, perhaps we could have found a way to make it happen," he lamented.
This revelation quickly ignited fan discussions, with many lamenting Konami's decision to pass on what could have been a historic collaboration. Kojima concluded his statement with a note of regret, acknowledging that while the timing might not have been ideal, he holds deep respect for "The Matrix" and the Wachowskis, calling it "a film that inspired my creative worldview and narrative style."