Why Was Morpheus Recast For "The Matrix Resurrections"?

The Matrix Resurrections is the fourth film in The Matrix franchise with original cast members Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returning as well as Lana Wachowski coming back to write and direct.

But Laurence Fishburne who played Morpheus, with his iconic mirrored shades, will not be returning. Fans will remember Morpheus as a leader in the human resistance and the captain of the Nebuchadnezzar. According to Screen Rant, Nebuchadnezzar is a ship used in the apocalyptic future to help save people from The Matrix. Morpheus rescues Keanu Reeves's character Neo as he believes that Neo is "the one" who can save humanity.

Yahya Abdul-Mateen II confirmed he is playing Morpheus in the upcoming film after the trailer for The Matrix 4 was released. Although Neo has aged, the sequel's Morpheus looks younger and suggests that it could be one of the possible reasons the role was recast. Perhaps there is an origin story for the character or a reboot of sorts? The title of the film does say "resurrections" after all. Perhaps there's a rebirth either into or out of the Matrix. Screen Rant points out that a scene in the trailer shows a shocked Morpheus reaching into a mirror, suggesting that maybe he is also unaware of the nature of the simulation.

According to the New York Post, Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Mossback are back on screen 18 years after the third film. The cast also features Daniel Bernhardt, Priyanka Chopra-Jonas, Jada Pinkett Smith, Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, and Jessica Henwick. But where is Fishburne and will he be a part of the film? The 60-year-old revealed to Collider that he wasn’t invited to return to the Wachowskis’ upcoming film. “I am not in the next Matrix movie and you’d have to ask Lana Wachowski why, ’cause I don’t have an answer for that.”

He also told Vulture, “Maybe that will make me write another play. I wish them well. I hope it’s great. It is probably the role that I’ll be best remembered for, which is great; it’s not the only thing I’ll be remembered for, which is better. What I get with him is I’ve got Darth Vader in this hand, and I’ve got Obi-Wan in that hand. I’ve got Bruce Lee, I’ve got Muhammad Ali shuffled in there, and I’ve got kung fu,” Fishburne continued.

The Matrix Resurrections will release in theaters and on HBO Max Dec. 22.