The Matrix is finally being reloaded again, as a fourth movie in the franchise is now officially on the way. So far, we’ve had it confirmed that Lana Wachowski will return to write and direct, with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss coming back as Neo and Trinity, respectively. As exciting as the news is, fans have still been wondering about something: how come Laurence Fishburne hasn’t been listed among the other returnees and what’s happened to Morpheus?
Well, Variety’s Justin Kroll has now shed some light on the situation, as he revealed that the word on the grapevine is that the absence of Fishburne may explain “where and when the film is set.” Moreover, execs are apparently already knee-deep in looking at “a variety of actors” to possibly play a young Morpheus, which is something WGTC told you about several months ago.
Going by the replies to Kroll’s tweet, it seems fans have only one preferred choice as to who could replace Fishburne, too: Black Panther star Michael B. Jordan is repeatedly named as the ideal star to play a younger version of the freedom fighter. It’s easy to see why Jordan would be great in the role as well, but he’s a highly in-demand name these days and it seems Wachowski is casting her net wide for the part.
The filmmaker, who created The Matrix franchise with her sister Lilly, who’s not involved with the project, released a statement touching on her excitement to get to work on the fourth film, saying:
“Many of the ideas Lilly and I explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now. I’m very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends.”
Apparently, a script is already complete, which Wachowski co-wrote with Aleksander Hemon and David Mitchell. As such, The Matrix 4 is expected to go into production as soon as early 2020. But tell us, are you open to a new actor portraying Morpheus in place of Laurence Fishburne? Free your mind and share your opinions in the comments section below.
