Laurence Fishburne Talks About His Absence from ‘The Matrix Resurrections’

A Missed Opportunity for Morpheus in the 2021 Sequel

When you think of the legendary sci-fi series “The Matrix,” Laurence Fishburne’s portrayal of Morpheus, complete with those iconic tiny sunglasses, is hard to overlook. However, the 2021 installment, “The Matrix Resurrections,” saw the return of stars like Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss as Neo and Trinity, but Fishburne was notably absent.

During an interview on “The View,” Laurence Fishburne addressed the fact that he did not reprise his role as Morpheus in the series’ fourth film. Fishburne revealed that he had expressed interest in returning, stating, “I offered my services to the fourth Matrix, and they didn’t respond well to that.” Despite his eagerness to be involved, “for whatever reason,” his casting “didn’t happen,” and the role of Morpheus was instead given to Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.

Laurence Fishburne originally brought Morpheus to life in the flagship 1999 “The Matrix” movie, directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, and his performance left an indelible mark on the franchise. Although the Wachowskis directed the first three “Matrix” movies, Lana Wachowski solely directed “The Matrix Resurrections.” Clips of Fishburne’s Morpheus were featured in the latest film, maintaining his enduring connection to the series.

Hope for Future Involvement

Although Fishburne wasn’t part of “The Matrix Resurrections,” he hasn’t closed the door entirely on future opportunities within the franchise. When asked about the possibility of joining a potential fifth film, he expressed openness to the idea but emphasized that it “depends on the circumstances,” such as who would be involved and the quality of the script.

Fishburne mentioned that his participation would hinge on whether he is offered a role after being overlooked for the 2021 sequel. Despite this setback, Fishburne remains optimistic about what the future holds with a simple “We’ll see.”

Fishburne’s Continuing Journey

While Morpheus might be in hiatus, Fishburne continues to showcase his fighting chops. He is set to appear in the upcoming thriller “The Amateur,” slated to hit theaters on April 11. This new project highlights Fishburne’s unwavering dedication to his craft and his readiness to take on dynamic roles.

As fans and Fishburne himself anticipate what might come next, his legacy as Morpheus remains firmly rooted in the cinematic world of “The Matrix.”