The Kid (The Matrix)


 * This article is about the Matrix character, for alternate meanings, see The Kid.

The Kid (Michael Karl Popper) is a fictional character from The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Animatrix short, "Kid's Story". The Kid's full name can be seen as an allusion to the philosopher Karl Popper. The role is played by Clayton Watson.

Plot summary
In The Animatrix, The Kid is an individual connected to The Matrix who is brought to see the truth by Neo. His circumstance is peculiar in that he unplugs himself from the Matrix by purposely falling from the top of his school building. How he is able to survive this fall is never fully addressed, aside from the following comments from Neo and Trinity, taking place directly after they have retrieved The Kid from the real-world power plant:
 * Trinity: It's unbelievable. I didn't think self-substantiation was possible.
 * Neo: Apparently it is.

Following the events of The Animatrix, The Kid makes his first live appearance in The Matrix Reloaded. While possessing a minor role at best (with but a few lines of unimportant dialogue&mdash;though his handing of the spoon to Neo could signify something greater), his actions in The Matrix Revolutions were integral to the salvation of Zion. During the Final Battle at the Dock, The Kid piloted the deceased Captain Mifune's APU and destroyed a chain which held an entrance gate closed. With the gate now open(ing), the hovercraft Mjolnir (a.k.a.The Hammer) was able to enter the dock and set off its electromagnetic pulse which successfully disabled all the attacking Sentinels within the dock.

Speculation
Prior to The Matrix Revolutions, some had speculated as to whether or not The Kid was Neo's successor as The One; however, there is at this point no conclusive evidence to support this theory.

Appearances Since the Matrix Trilogy
The Kid's latest appearance has been in The Matrix Comics, vol. 2, released in December 2004 by Burlyman Entertainment (The Wachowski brothers' comic publishing company), in the story entitled "I Kant." The story essentially revolves around Morpheus' (also in his first appearance since the events of The Matrix Revolutions) efforts to see The Kid through the jump program, as he did for Neo in The Matrix. This comic story, though still considered part of the Matrix canon, is not written by the Wachowski Brothers. The Art and Story are by Kaare Andrews, 3D Modeling by Ron Turner, and Color by Dave McCaig.

The Kid is also said to be involved in the MMORPG The Matrix Online, which was released in the US in January 2005, and has been seen in a cutscene dressed in attire nearly identical to that of Neo's "The One" outfit.