Laurence Fishburne Reacts to Will Smith’s Neo Role in New Music Video
At the recent premiere of “The Amateur” in New York City, acclaimed actor Laurence Fishburne revealed that he was unaware of Will Smith’s performance as Neo in the music video for Smith’s single “Beautiful Scars,” featuring rapper Big Sean. Intrigued by the news, Fishburne said, “Oh really? I haven’t seen it. What’s it called?”
Will Smith’s Nostalgic Tribute
In Smith’s “Beautiful Scars” video, he takes on the iconic role of Neo, a character he famously turned down when the Wachowskis initially cast for the groundbreaking film “The Matrix” in 1999. Keanu Reeves ultimately brought Neo to life, marking a pivotal moment in cinematic history. In a twist, Big Sean assumes the role of Morpheus, originally played by Fishburne in the series, and Fishburne’s reaction to this reinterpretation was positive: “I think that’s cool.”
Fishburne’s Absence from The Matrix Resurrections
Fishburne’s portrayal of Morpheus in the original three “Matrix” films is well-remembered, yet he was not included in the 2021 sequel, “The Matrix Resurrections.” Instead, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II took over the role. In a recent discussion on “The View,” Fishburne addressed questions about possibly returning to the franchise, stating, “It depends on the circumstances — who is involved, how well the script is written, if they offer me.” He added that he had expressed his desire to return for the fourth “Matrix” film, but the filmmakers did not respond favorably.
Looking Ahead: Upcoming Projects
Despite not reprising his role, Fishburne is set to showcase his action skills again in the upcoming espionage thriller, “The Amateur,” co-starring Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, and Jon Bernthal. Excited about his role, Fishburne noted, “I have a pretty big fight in the movie, so I was excited about that. We had to learn the fight — a lot of choreography. A lot of stretching and warming up, you know? To make sure we didn’t get hurt.”
The film “The Amateur” is scheduled to hit theaters on April 11.
