Laurence Fishburne, the iconic actor known for his portrayal of Morpheus in the groundbreaking sci-fi film The Matrix, has expressed his reservations about returning for a potential fifth installment. In a recent interview, Fishburne revealed his willingness to reprise the role, but only if the new film meets a high standard of quality. He stated, 'It depends on how good it is. If it's great, then yes, if it makes sense. I don't know if it makes sense.'
Fishburne's interest in the project was evident when he reached out to the Wachowski sisters, the directors of The Matrix, to express his enthusiasm for The Matrix Resurrections. However, despite his efforts, he was not invited to return for the sequel. Fishburne shared, 'I reached out, and it just didn't pan out. I said 'Thank you very much,' and Lana [Wachowski] said 'Thank you very much, I'll think about it,' and that was that.'
During a panel discussion at the New York Comic Con 2025, Fishburne and his fellow cast member Joe Pantoliano reminisced about the film's success, their casting process, and the enduring cultural impact of their characters, Morpheus and Cypher. When asked about the influence of The Matrix on contemporary filmmakers, Fishburne highlighted its pervasive impact across various storytelling genres. He remarked, 'There's no movie that comes after The Matrix in the sci-fi action or fantasy genre that hasn't been influenced by it. It's everywhere. You almost forget where it came from now.' Fishburne also made a bold statement, suggesting that the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) owes a debt to The Matrix, as it wouldn't look the same without it.
