“The Matrix Resurrections” should prove to be fascinating exercise in Warner Bros‘ attempt to revive a thought-to-be-long dead franchise. While profitable at the box office, the ‘Matrix‘ sequels weren’t exactly as genre-bending as the original, seen as a disappointment by some, and seemed to end the franchise on sort of a sour note. However, after nearly 20 years, co-creator Lana Wachowski decided to return for a fourth installment that very well could launch a new franchise, if the massive buzz around “The Matrix Resurrections” teaser trailer is any indication.
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The sequel finds Keanu Reeves back in the persona of mild-mannered computer hacker Thomas Anderson but that doesn’t last too long as events converge and we’re introduced to a new character played by British actress Jessica Henwick (“Knives Out 2,” “Iron Fist,” “The Gray Man“) alongside Yahya Abdul-Matten II playing what many believed was a new incarnation of Morpheus (previously played by Laurence Fishburne). Abdul-Matten II as Morpheus has been the assumption for some time and was seemingly supported by the actor on his Instagram account and now we’ve essentially got confirmation
In an interview with Entertainment Weekly Abdul-Mateen II revealed he is indeed playing Morpheus, but won’t be trying to mimic Fishburne’s performance or trying to dismantle it either. In his own words, “It’s not really my job to try to duplicate or try to challenge that history. If anything, I step into it because I appreciate the history.”
It’ll be a tricky balance for the rising star as many returning fans will have clear expectations of the character’s portrayal, but we’re already noticing that even Reeves’ Neo in the trailer footage seems to be regressing and it’s plausible this new version of the series takes the characters to a new state of being somehow, perhaps some older (like Neo), perhaps some younger (Morpheus).
Fans have already tried to piece together theories why we’re getting a different Morpheus and I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s simply a similar program there to help guide Neo and others. We’ll likely learn more about Morpheus’ origin/intentions as the promotional campaign truly kicks in and the studio starts dishing more in-depth details about the new film.
“The Matrix Resurrections” will leap into theaters on December 22.