He was pushed to take the blue pill.
Laurence Fishburne wanted in for the fourth “Matrix” film — but was quickly shut out from the casting.
“I offered my services to the fourth ‘Matrix,’ and they didn’t respond well to that,” Fishburne, 63, revealed during “The View” on April 3. “It’s not like I didn’t say, ‘I’d like to offer my services.’ I did. For whatever reason, that didn’t happen. Okay. But that’s the truth. And so, we’ll see [about the future].”
The Oscar-nominated actor famously co-starred as Morpheus, Neo’s (Keanu Reeves) mentor, in the first three iconic “Matrix” films, which hit theaters between 1999 and 2003.
In the fourth movie, 2021’s “The Matrix Resurrections,” the character still appears in the film, sort of – an AI program based on him was played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Watchmen”). New stars such as Jonathan Groff also joined the franchise.
In April 2024, Warner Bros announced that a fifth “Matrix” movie is in development. While the first three movies were all written and directed by The Wachowskis, and the fourth movie was helmed by Lana Wachowski, the fifth movie would be executive produced by Lana. Drew Goddard would direct, making it the first film without a Wachowski in the director’s chair.
Goddard is known for “The Martian,” “Cabin in the Woods” and “Cloverfield.”
“It is not hyperbole to say ‘The Matrix’ films changed both cinema and my life,” Goddard told Variety at the time. Referring to The Wachowskis, he added, “Lana and Lilly’s exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world.”
Casting is still up in the air — and Reeves has also not been confirmed yet.
Speaking to Empire in 2021, Reeves, 60, said that his return would be in the hands of Lana Wachowski.
“If she invites me again, I’m in,” the “John Wick” star said.
When “The View” co-host Sara Haines asked Fishburne if he’s involved with the fifth movie, he didn’t write it off, despite his less than favorable words about his experience getting shut out of the fourth movie.
“It depends on the circumstances, who was involved, how well the script has been written, if they offer me [a part],” he said.
The fifth “Matrix” movie does not yet have a premiere date.
