Arts & Entertainment
Jonathan Groff joins ‘Matrix’ reboot
Out actor Jonathan Groff has joined the cast of the upcoming “Matrix 4” reboot.
According to Collider, Groff has been added to the roster of names confirmed to be involved in the much-anticipated sequel to the now-classic mind-bending sci-fi trilogy. Details about his role are being kept quiet, for now, but the Broadway veteran (“Spring Awakening,” “Hamilton”) is the second openly gay actor to be cast in the film, following the previously announced Neil Patrick Harris, who is rumored to be playing a villain. The film will be directed by trans filmmaker Lana Wachowski, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell. She returns to the franchise she helped create with her sister Lilly, who is also trans. They are also known for helping create the popular Netflix series, “Sense8.”
The 34-year-old Groff is probably most widely familiar as the voice of Kristoff in Disney’s mega-hits “Frozen” and “Frozen 2,” but he is also known for his current starring role in the Netflix psychological crime drama, “Mindhunter,” as well as his work on LGBTQ fan-favorite shows “Glee” and “Looking.”
Groff will appear in the film with Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith, all of whom are reprising their roles from the original trilogy, along with fellow newcomers Harris, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Jessica Henwick.
The film begins production at the beginning of next year, according to Variety.
The Freddie’s Follies drag show was held at Freddie’s Beach Bar in Arlington, Va. on Saturday, Jan. 3. Performers included Monet Dupree, Michelle Livigne, Shirley Naytch, Gigi Paris Couture and Shenandoah.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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Queer highlights of the 2026 Critics Choice Awards: Aunt Gladys, that ‘Heated Rivalry’ shoutout and more
Amy Madigan’s win in the supporting actress category puts her in serious contention to win the Oscar for ‘Weapons’
From Chelsea Handler shouting out Heated Rivalry in her opening monologue to Amy Madigan proving that horror performances can (and should) be taken seriously, the Critics Choice Awards provided plenty of iconic moments for queer movie fans to celebrate on the long road to Oscar night.
Handler kicked off the ceremony by recapping the biggest moments in pop culture last year, from Wicked: For Good to Sinners. She also made room to joke about the surprise hit TV sensation on everyone’s minds: “Shoutout to Heated Rivalry. Everyone loves it! Gay men love it, women love it, straight men who say they aren’t gay but work out at Equinox love it!”
The back-to-back wins for Jacob Elordi in Frankenstein and Amy Madigan in Weapons are notable, given the horror bias that awards voters typically have. Aunt Gladys instantly became a pop culture phenomenon within the LGBTQ+ community when Zach Cregger’s hit horror comedy released in August, but the thought that Madigan could be a serious awards contender for such a fun, out-there performance seemed improbable to most months ago. Now, considering the sheer amount of critics’ attention she’s received over the past month, there’s no denying she’s in the running for the Oscar.
“I really wasn’t expecting all of this because I thought people would like the movie, and I thought people would dig Gladys, but you love Gladys! I mean, it’s crazy,” Madigan said during her acceptance speech. “I get [sent] makeup tutorials and paintings. I even got one weird thing about how she’s a sex icon also, which I didn’t go too deep into that one.”
Over on the TV side, Rhea Seehorn won in the incredibly competitive best actress in a drama series category for her acclaimed performance as Carol in Pluribus, beating out the likes of Emmy winner Britt Lower for Severance, Carrie Coon for The White Lotus, and Bella Ramsey for The Last of Us. Pluribus, which was created by Breaking Bad’s showrunner Vince Gilligan, has been celebrated by audiences for its rich exploration of queer trauma and conversion therapy.
Jean Smart was Hack’s only win of the night, as Hannah Einbinder couldn’t repeat her Emmy victory in the supporting actress in a comedy series category against Janelle James, who nabbed a trophy for Abbott Elementary. Hacks lost the best comedy series award to The Studio, as it did at the Emmys in September. And in the limited series category, Erin Doherty repeated her Emmy success in supporting actress, joining in yet another Adolescence awards sweep.
As Oscar fans speculate on what these Critics Choice wins mean for future ceremonies, we have next week’s Golden Globes ceremony to look forward to on Jan. 11.
(Washington Blade photos by Michael Key)
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