With the first trailer for “The Matrix: Resurrections” hitting the interwebs this week, it has opened the floodgates of speculation regarding plot and characters. The trailer for the 4th installment in the franchise doesn’t provide much in the way of story, really just showing us glimpses of returning franchise favorites and highlighting some cast additions. Personally, I’m not entirely convinced that this film actually exists, and until I’m sitting in the theater watching it all unfold nothing (including a trailer) can convince me otherwise. I have some misgivings about returning the world of man vs machines, but that’s another analysis entirely.
What we can confirm is that a fan favorite is returning to the franchise, but not necessarily in the way you think.
Noticeably missing from the cast list is Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus, one of the few originals NOT set to return here. New cast member Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Aquaman,” “Trial of the Chicago 7“) is featured prominently in the trailer but no confirmation about who he is actually playing. Its probably pretty obvious given the look, but up until now it was nothing more fan theories.
According to a new instagram post from Yahya, he will in fact be playing Morpheus. In what capacity or time period this portrayal is set in is up for debate, but the post is one fan theory that can be crossed off the list.
It will be very interesting to see how the “The Matrix: Resurrections” shapes up, as more trailers closer to the December release date are sure to be coming in the next few months. For those not deep in rabbit holes of plot speculations and details (things you’re probably better off not knowing because if even a fraction of what I’ve heard is true we’re in for a major disappointment) its nice to know who Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will be portraying in the film. Yahya has been on a tear recently, starring in the critically acclaimed “Watchmen” series as well as the newly released “Candyman” spiritual sequel. Oh, and we’ll be seeing him in George Miller‘s “Mad Max: Fury Road” prequel film “Furiosa!”
Lana Wachowski wrote and directed “The Matrix: Resurrections,” which stars Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Daniel Bernhardt, Jada Pinkett Smith, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, Jessica Lu Yi Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Stephen Graham, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Ellen Hollman, Brian J Smith, Toby Onwumere, Eréndira Ibarra, and Christina Ricci.
It’ll hit theaters and HBO Max on December 22nd, 2021.