The Matrix 4: Laurence Fishburne says he 'hasn't been invited' to star in sequel

Laurence Fishburne in 'The Matrix' (Picture: Getty Images)

Laurence Fishburne, the actor who played Morpheus in The Matrix films, has revealed he was “not invited” to star in the forthcoming sequel.

Fishburne first portrayed the captain of the Nebuchadnezzar in the original 1999 film alongside Keanu Reeves as Neo and Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity.

“I have not been invited,” Fishburne told New YorkMagazine in a new interview. “Maybe that will make me write another play. I wish them well. I hope it’s great.”

He added that while Morpheus “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”.

Fishburne’s other notable TV and film credits include Black-Ish, CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, the John Wick franchise and Contagion.

Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu Reeves in ‘The Matrix’ (Rex Features)

There is speculation that Morpheus’s absence from the sequel is as a result of the events of The Matrix Online, a video game in which Morpheus was shot dead.

Reeves and Moss will reprise their roles in The Matrix 4, which will also feature Neil Patrick Harris, Jonathan Groff, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Priyanka Chopra Jonas.

Reeves confirmed this week that The Matrix 4 – which is likely to hit cinemas in 2022 – has recommenced filming in Berlin after being halted due to the pandemic.