Laurence Fishburne recently reminisced about his groundbreaking experience with “The Matrix” franchise during an appearance at the Marrakech Film Festival. The 64-year-old actor reflected on his iconic role as Morpheus, revealing that the physical demands of the part required extensive training that he hadn’t anticipated.
Fishburne noted that working on “The Matrix” was a pioneering experience for Western actors collaborating with Hong Kong martial arts style, led by choreographer Yuen Woo-ping. He recalled how Woo-ping was initially concerned about their ability to perform the intricate fight sequences, leading to rigorous training that transformed them into “professional athletes.” He humorously remarked on the constant pain athletes endure from such intense preparation, stating, “It was in the middle of that training I realized why they pay professional athletes so much money.”
This intensive training paid off, contributing to the franchise’s iconic and unforgettable fight scenes, but the physical toll of the work still lingers for Fishburne. He expressed, “I mean, it’s still in the body. We each had two trainers, and they worked us really, really hard!”
Fishburne reprised his role as Morpheus in the sequels “The Matrix Reloaded” and “The Matrix Revolutions,” but faced disappointment when he was not invited back for the 2021 film “The Matrix Resurrections.” Despite his eagerness to return, he shared on “The View” that his offer to contribute to the fourth installment was met with indifference. “I offered my services to the fourth Matrix and they didn’t respond well to that,” he explained.
In his absence, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was cast as a new iteration of Neo’s mentor. Abdul-Mateen acknowledged the challenge of stepping into Fishburne’s legendary role while also developing a unique interpretation that respected the character’s history.
In a candid interview about “The Matrix Resurrections,” Fishburne described the experience as a mixed bag, admitting, “It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, and it wasn’t as good as I hoped it would be.”
Looking ahead, when asked about the possibility of returning for a fifth Matrix film, Fishburne remained open, citing the importance of the script and the people involved. He concluded thoughtfully, “If they offer me [a part]… We’ll see.”
This continued engagement with the franchise hints at Fishburne’s lasting legacy and affection for the world of “The Matrix,” as fans eagerly await any opportunity to see the beloved character of Morpheus return to the screen.
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