Laurence Fishburne, the iconic actor known for his role as Morpheus in the original Matrix trilogy, recently revealed that he was eager to return for the fourth installment of the franchise, The Matrix Resurrections, but was met with rejection from the filmmakers. During an appearance on The View, Fishburne candidly shared his disappointment, stating, "I offered my services to the fourth Matrix, and they didn’t respond well to that." This revelation comes as a surprise to many fans who had hoped to see the beloved character return alongside Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, who reprised their roles as Neo and Trinity, respectively.
Fishburne, who portrayed Morpheus in all three original films released between 1999 and 2003, expressed his willingness to step back into the role if the circumstances were right. He noted that his return would depend on various factors, including the quality of the script and the team involved in the project. "It depends on the circumstances, who is involved, how well the script has been written. If they offer [it to] me," he explained, indicating that he remains open to the possibility of a fifth Matrix film.
In The Matrix Resurrections, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II took on a new version of Morpheus, described as a hybrid character created from Neo's memories. This recasting was acknowledged in the film, which suggested that the original Morpheus, played by Fishburne, had died during the 60-year time jump between The Matrix Revolutions and Resurrections. The decision to replace Fishburne was met with mixed reactions from fans, particularly given the character's significant legacy within the franchise.
Currently, a fifth installment of the Matrix series is in development, with Drew Goddard set to write and direct. This film marks a significant shift in the franchise, as it will be the first not directed by the Wachowskis, who helmed the original trilogy and Resurrections. As of now, there is no release date or casting announcements, leaving fans speculating about the future of the beloved characters.
Fishburne's absence from The Matrix Resurrections has sparked discussions about the character's fate, particularly since Morpheus was canonically killed off in the MMORPG The Matrix Online, which is considered part of the franchise's official canon. Despite this, Fishburne's willingness to return for a potential fifth film suggests that there may still be opportunities to explore Morpheus's character in new and interesting ways.
Reflecting on his experience with the fourth film, Fishburne stated, "It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. And it wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be. But I thought Carrie-Anne and Keanu really did their thing." He added that he did not feel he missed out on the project, indicating a level of acceptance regarding the filmmakers' decision. "No, not really," he remarked when asked if he regretted not being part of Resurrections.
Interestingly, Fishburne was also unaware of Will Smith's recent music video for his single "Beautiful Scars," which features a Matrix-inspired theme. In the video, Smith portrays Neo, a role he famously turned down in favor of Reeves. Fishburne's reaction to the video was one of surprise, as he admitted, "Oh really? I haven’t seen it. What’s it called?" His casual response underscores the actor's focus on current projects, including his upcoming role in the espionage thriller The Amateur, which hits theaters on April 11, 2025.
As the Matrix franchise continues to evolve, Fishburne's legacy as Morpheus remains a pivotal part of its history. Fans are left wondering if the character will make a return in Matrix 5 and what creative directions the new team will take. With Fishburne open to revisiting the role, there is hope that the franchise can find a way to honor the character's past while exploring new narratives.
In conclusion, Laurence Fishburne's journey with the Matrix franchise highlights the complexities of legacy and creative direction in Hollywood. While he was not part of The Matrix Resurrections, his willingness to return for a potential fifth film leaves the door open for future possibilities. Whether or not Morpheus will rise again remains to be seen, but fans can certainly look forward to the next chapter in this iconic sci-fi saga.
