Variety just broke the exclusive that we are about to re-enter The Matrix with a fourth installment. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss are set to reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity, yet missing from a confirmation is the iconic Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus.

What gives?

Warner Bros. Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures will produce and distribute the film. Variety reports that sources say that production may be set to begin as early as 2020.

This sounds exciting and all, but one tidbit in Variety’s article stood out to me:

“Plot details are currently unknown, as is how the role of Morpheus will be handled, originally played by Laurence Fishburne. Some sources say the role may be recast for a younger take.“

Now, I went to go check Twitter and Wikipedia to make sure I didn’t miss a #RIP tweet with some sad news about Fishburne, because last I checked he was still acting and starring in movies. If this fourth installment had been said to be a reboot, or even a sequel set in the far future with a new set of characters, I’d understand the murmurs that they would need a younger Morpheus somehow but… the actors for Neo and Trinity are there, and they’ve aged.

So why the need for a younger Morpheus? And how would that even make sense if Neo and Trinity are being allowed to age?

Also (spoiler warning) didn’t Trinity die?

Fishburne and Reeves have been breaking the box office recently with the John Wick franchise, and everyone LOVED them reuniting on the big screen. Further, Matrix had THREE leads: Reeves, Moss, and Fishburne. Why the push for only two to return?

Is this about money? Is Fishburne being undervalued?

Morpheus was an iconic fantasy character brought to life by Fishburne’s great acting. He and Reeves have amazing chemistry. Wouldn’t this be a missed opportunity not to bring him back?

Also, can we pull a Halloween and pretend movies 2 and 3 didn’t happen?

What do you think? Are you excited about the fourth installment of The Matrix?