In 1999, The Matrix reshaped sci-fi forever. But behind the bullet-time and trench coats, an unknown author triggered a real-world glitch—by suing the people behind The Matrix and The Terminator for billions. Her claim? That her 1983 manuscript, The Third Eye, was the uncredited blueprint for both franchises.
Let’s break down what she alleged… and what actually held up in court.
Sophia Stewart isn’t a household name, but according to her federal lawsuit, she should be. In official court filings, she claims Neo from The Matrix is based on her character I-Khan, a philosopher-scientist who discovers he’s “The One.” If that sounds familiar, it gets wilder: Stewart also says Trinity, Morpheus, Cypher, Mouse, Tank, and the Oracle all have one-to-one counterparts in her manuscript.
Her book includes a rebel ship like the Nebuchadnezzar, a machine-run post-nuclear world, and a prophecy about awakening human consciousness. She even describes I-Khan projecting illusions during battle—echoing Neo’s bullet-dodging—and says both characters gain power after going blind.
The similarities aren’t just character-based. Stewart also claims The Matrix initially opened with a scrolling intro—like Star Wars—that quoted her text. She believes this was removed only after FBI involvement. Problem is: she filed her FBI complaint after the movie’s release… so why didn’t any theatergoer ever see that intro?
Wait… Was The Terminator Also a Knockoff?
Yes, according to Stewart. She alleges I-Khan—who she links to Neo—is also the original blueprint for The Terminator’s John Connor. Her manuscript features “mechanical enforcers” (like the T-800), a future war with machines, and a prophecy about a future leader. In her words, The Terminator is the beginning of the machine war, and The Matrix is the end. Two halves. One stolen manuscript.
She says she sent early drafts to Fox in the early ‘80s, hoping it would land on George Lucas’s desk. When she completed a fuller version in 1983—complete with illustrations and backstory—she claims it was briefly considered and then rejected for lacking an agent. She also claims she mailed it to the Wachowskis after seeing a magazine ad seeking sci-fi submissions. A magazine ad that she later admitted… never existed.
Where Things Fall Apart
Here’s where it gets sticky. Stewart registered a manuscript in the ‘80s—but the only version anyone can see was published in 2003. That’s after both franchises had released multiple installments and after she filed her lawsuit. So there’s no public way to verify if the original material actually contained these parallels.
Even worse, in court, Stewart admitted:
- She never submitted her work to Joel Silver, Warner Bros., or anyone involved in The Matrix.
- She had no evidence that Fox gave her script to James Cameron or Gale Anne Hurd.
- She had no proof anyone connected to The Matrix or The Terminator ever accessed her treatment.
The Outcome? Not Great…
In 2003, Stewart filed a $3.5 billion lawsuit accusing the studios of copyright infringement, conspiracy, and racketeering. But after extensive litigation, the case was dismissed. And Stewart wasn’t just left without a win—she was hit with a judgment ordering her to pay over $300,000 in legal fees for the studios she sued.
Still, Stewart continues to speak publicly. She insists that her story was stolen and adapted without credit. Whether you believe her or not, her claims have found new life through interviews, viral TikToks, and fan theories that refuse to die.
So, was The Matrix a ripoff of The Third Eye?
Or is this just a case of déjà vu?
You decide.
