Skip to main content Games Radar Retro Gamer Total Film The smarter take on movies Search GamesRadar+ View Profile Xbox Series X Nintendo Switch Tabletop Gaming Toys & Collectibles Retro Gamer Newsletters Gaming Magazines Why subscribe? Subscribe from just £3 Takes you closer to the games, movies and TV you love Try a single issue or save on a subscription Issues delivered straight to your door or device From£9.99View Best Netflix Movies Best movies on Disney Plus Movie Release Dates Best Netflix Shows Entertainment Sci-Fi Movies Laurence Fishburne wanted to return as Morpheus in The Matrix: Resurrections but the team "didn't respond well" Bradley Russell 4 April 2025 The Morpheus actor didn't take the red pill for Resurrections When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Warner Bros.) The Matrix star Laurence Fishburne has broken his silence on his no-show as Morpheus in 2021's Resurrections. Speaking on The View (H/T The Hollywood Reporter), Fishburne said, "I offered my services to the fourth Matrix, and they didn’t respond well to that." He added, "It’s not like I didn’t say, 'I'd like to offer my services.' I did." Despite several legacy actors – including Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss – returning to The Matrix franchise for the fourth movie, the role of Morpheus ultimately shifted over to a new actor, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, in a slightly different version of the character. That experience hasn't soured Fishburne entirely on The Matrix, however. A fifth film, from The Cabin in the Woods director Drew Goddard, is currently in the works and is touted as an "incredible way to continue the Matrix world" and "a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters." For his part, Fishburne isn't ruling out a return. "It depends on who was involved, how well the script has been written," Fishburne said. Hugo Weaving, who played Agent Smith in the first three Matrix films, also didn't make a comeback in Resurrections – though that was down to a scheduling conflict. Sign up for the Total Film Newsletter Bringing all the latest movie news, features, and reviews to your inbox Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. "I was in touch with [director] Lana Wachowski, but in the end she decided that the dates weren’t going to work. So we'd sorted the dates and then she sort of changed her mind," Weaving told Time Out back in 2020. For more, check out the upcoming movies and movie release dates just over the horizon in 2025. See more Movies News Bradley Russell Social Links Navigation I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution. You must confirm your public display name before commenting Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name. 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