Could Morpheus be jacked back into the Matrix – Laurence Fishburne says maybe.
The iconic actor opened up during an appearance on The View about the possibility of returning to the franchise that helped redefine sci-fi cinema. When asked about starring in Matrix 5, Laurence Fishburne gave a measured but honest take.
“It depends on the circumstances, who is involved, how well the script has been written, if they offer me… because I offered my services to the fourth Matrix, and they didn’t respond well to that,” he said. “It’s not like I didn’t say, ‘Oh, I’d like to offer my services.’ I did, and for whatever reason, that didn’t happen. That’s the truth. So we’ll see.”
Laurence Fishburne played Morpheus across the original Matrix trilogy from 1999 to 2003, delivering one of the most quotable performances in sci-fi history. But when The Matrix Resurrections hit theaters in 2021, he was noticeably absent, with a younger version of the character played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Despite that, Fishburne made it clear he’s not holding a grudge, but he’s not signing on without reading the fine print either.
Warner Bros. confirmed in 2024 that Matrix 5 is officially in the works with The Martian screenwriter Drew Goddard writing and directing. This marks the first film in the series not directed by Lana or Lilly Wachowski, though Lana is staying on as executive producer.
No casting details have been confirmed, including whether Keanu Reeves or Carrie-Anne Moss will reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity. And with the plot still under wraps, there’s even more mystery around whether legacy characters will have a role.
Warner Bros. Motion Pictures President Jesse Ehrman teased that Goddard has a new idea that both respects the legacy and brings a fresh take. “Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea… by both honouring what Lana and Lilly began over 25 years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters.”
So, will Fishburne finally get the callback he hoped for last time around? He’s ready to listen, if the script is good, the offer is right, and the vision makes sense.
Until then, the Matrix remains a world of code, choice, and unanswered questions.
