‘Matrix’ co-director Lilly Wachowski says trans cast sank funding for new movie

“Matrix” co-director Lilly Wachowski says she cannot find a Hollywood financier for her latest project, a roughly $10 million thriller called The Hunted, according to Variety.

Ms. Wachowski, who co-directed “The Matrix” trilogy with her sister, Lana, says she cannot get the film financed because every principal role is played by a transgender actor. Speaking on KCRW’s “The Business” podcast, she said, “They really don’t want to make it because it’s got a wall-to-wall trans cast.”

Ms. Wachowski said she is now searching for alternative ways to get the film financed and in front of audiences.

She co-wrote “The Hunted” with her partner, Mickey Ray Mahoney. The dystopian political thriller follows two trans women investigating a crime that leads to the highest levels of government, and Ms. Wachowski has described the writing process as an emotional outlet for her frustrations over the current political climate facing transgender Americans.

With the project still in late-stage development, Ms. Wachowski presented the script to a live audience at a table read last week at Los Angeles’ Dynasty Typewriter theater as the project continued to seek financing. “The Hunted” remains in development through her Anarchists United banner alongside actress Natasha Lyonne’s Ariadne Collective.

Aside from the “Matrix” franchise, Ms. Wachowski is also best known for her collaborations with her sister on “Speed Racer,” “Cloud Atlas” and “Jupiter Ascending.”