Laurence Fishburne explains why he didn't return to play Morpheus in Matrix Resurrection and the reason is a video game

The wait for The Matrix fans came to an end with the release of The Matrix Resurrections, where Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss reprise their iconic roles as Neo and Trinity. The expectations were high, partly due to the return of these central figures, but the absence of Laurence Fishburne, who played Morpheus in the original trilogy, has raised questions. Although Fishburne expressed his desire to return to the character, he was not invited to participate, leaving Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as the new version of Morpheus in the film.

An online video game that is canon within the franchise

The background of this decision may be linked to the events of The Matrix Online, an MMORPG in which the character of Morpheus was killed. This event has sparked a debate about its canonicity within the universe of The Matrix, and it could be part of the reason why the creators chose not to include Fishburne in the new installment. However, in The Matrix Resurrections, the new Morpheus is presented as a digital recreation, with no further explanation about the absence of the original.

Likewise, Fishburne offered a measured critique of the film, stating that “it’s not as bad as I thought, but it’s not as good as I hoped”. This assessment reflects the mixed reception the film has had among critics and fans, who were hoping for an experience that would revive the magic of the original trilogy.

Meanwhile, the saga continues with the development of The Matrix 5, a project that is progressing without the direct involvement of the Wachowski Sisters and with Drew Goddard as the main creative. This new approach could signify a significant change in the direction of the franchise, opening the door to new narratives that explore the universe of The Matrix in unexpected ways.

Amazon Prime Video DOWNLOAD