Hollywood veteran Laurence Fishburne has shared that he’s open to returning to The Matrix franchise — but only if the script is “worth it.”
Speaking at New York Comic Con 2025, the actor, best known for his iconic role as Morpheus, said his decision to rejoin the sci-fi series hinges entirely on the quality of the story.
“It depends on how good it is, really,” Fishburne said during a panel moderated by podcaster Josh Horowitz.
“If it’s great, then yeah — if it makes sense. I don’t know if it makes sense.”
A Return Without the Wachowskis?
The upcoming fifth installment of The Matrix is currently in development — but notably, without original directors Lana and Lily Wachowski. Fishburne recalled reaching out to them during production of The Matrix Resurrections but said the reunion never happened.
“I reached out,” Fishburne admitted. “It just didn’t pan out. I said, ‘Thank you very much,’ and Lana said, ‘Thank you very much, I’ll think about it,’ and that was that.”
Despite his absence, Fishburne remains proud of his work in the original trilogy, which he says permanently changed the sci-fi landscape.
The Matrix’s Lasting Influence
Reflecting on the franchise’s impact, Fishburne highlighted how The Matrix redefined visual storytelling and inspired a generation of filmmakers.
“There’s no movie that comes after The Matrix that’s a sci-fi action or fantasy movie that’s not been influenced by it,” he said. “It’s everywhere. It’s so pervasive you almost forget where it came from. No The Matrix, no MCU — it just doesn’t look the same.”
Fishburne’s comments underline how the series reshaped both film technology and philosophical storytelling, blending martial arts, cyberpunk, and metaphysics in a way few movies have matched since.
New Role in The Astronaut
While his future as Morpheus remains uncertain, Fishburne isn’t slowing down. He’s set to appear in the upcoming sci-fi thriller “The Astronaut”, recently acquired by Vertical for release this Fall.
Fishburne plays General William Harris, overseeing astronaut Sam Walker (played by Kate Mara), who returns mysteriously alive after a disastrous space mission. As she undergoes NASA rehabilitation, eerie occurrences suggest that something alien may have followed her back to Earth.
The film’s synopsis teases a chilling blend of psychological suspense and extraterrestrial mystery — the kind of cerebral storytelling Fishburne fans have come to expect.
Conclusion
Whether Laurence Fishburne returns as Morpheus or not, The Matrix legacy continues to ripple through modern cinema. As he steps into another sci-fi role in The Astronaut, one thing is clear — Fishburne remains a pillar of thought-provoking science fiction.
