Why The Matrix Director Was Replaced on Zooey Deschanel’s Trash Mountain
The Matrix co-creator Lilly Wachowski has reportedly exited Trash Mountain, stepping away from what was to be her solo feature directorial debut, with a new director taking over the Zooey Deschanel comedy, according to World of Reel.
Well, this is not the Lilly Wachowski solo feature we were promised. The Matrix co-director has stepped away from her would-be solo directing debut, the comedy Trash Mountain, and someone else has already moved into the chair.
So, what just happened?
According to World of Reel, Lilly Wachowski is no longer directing Trash Mountain. There is no reason on the record yet for why she exited. In her place, Kris Swanberg (I Used to Go Here) has taken over. Cameras started rolling in October, so this swap happened as the project was moving, not sitting on a shelf.
Wachowski first announced she was taking on Trash Mountain in 2024 and talked up the script pretty passionately at the time:
"Beautiful and sad and funny" and a great representation of queer culture.
The project, at a glance
- New director: Kris Swanberg (I Used to Go Here)
- Original director: Lilly Wachowski (now exited)
- Writers: Rubey Caster and Caleb Hearon
- Production status: Principal photography began in October
- Cast: Caleb Hearon, Zooey Deschanel, Kyle Marvin, Jaboukie Young-White, Jacki Weaver, and Holmes
- Story: A gay Chicago guy in his 20s heads back to rural Missouri after his hoarder father dies, and he has to deal with the mountain of stuff left behind
- Genre: Comedy
Why this is notable
Trash Mountain was set to be Lilly Wachowski's first solo feature as a director. With her stepping aside, her most recent directing credit remains 2015's Jupiter Ascending, which she co-directed with her sister Lana. Lana later returned solo for 2021's The Matrix Resurrections; Lilly did not come back for that one.
No word yet on whether Wachowski will be involved with Trash Mountain in any other capacity. For now, the movie moves forward under Swanberg, and the wait continues for a Lilly-only feature.