The latest Matrix filming news centers in Oakland, California, and there is a load of new reports and pictures. Currently, it seems that only one scene is being filmed there, and it involves a complicated chase sequence with lots of stunt driving and cool pyrotechnics. Here's the latest report excerpt from The Matrix Online:

"Next, I was actually treated to the filming of a chase scene. I would have loved to have filmed it, but security became real tight right before the shoot. However, I did manage to get some shots right before and after the scene. Initially, I saw a silver Cadillac at the front of a long line of vehicles (my first time seeing it – hadn't seen it even on the Internet yet). It was crushed in back, with the bumper half hanging off, and it had a fake license plate that said DA203, and something that I couldn't make out at the top (later learned the top says 'Metropolitan')."

"The next vehicle was a black Cadillac truck with an eerie silver dreadlock dude with Neo-type sunglasses hanging out the top with what looked like a machine gun. And behind the truck were about 4 or 5 fake police cruisers with lights flashing. All of a sudden, the silver Cad took off with all of the other cars following, and a few seconds later I saw the silver cad whip toward the right and crash into something, possibly one of the pillars or a curb (it was a little too far to be sure). I saw sparks fly and heard a loud thud, so I figured this was something that they would enhance later with special-effects editing."

And as for other official Matrix news, Warner Brothers has confirmed that producer Joel Silver and directors Larry and Andy Wachowski are proceeding with their original plans to do the majority of the sequels' filming in Australia. For awhile, those were undecided plans due to some disputes with the Australian government over $30 million tax incentives, and Canada was considered as a backup production location. But I guess now its back with the Aussies.

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