'Aquaman' star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II to star in Matrix 4 alongside Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss
'Aquaman' star Yahya Abdul-Mateen will play one of the lead roles opposite Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss in Lana Wachowski's upcoming revival of the Matrix franchise. According to Variety, Wachowski met with a number of actors before roping in Abdul-Mateen. While plot details are unknown, the role was rumored to be that of a young Morpheus, originally played by Laurence Fishburne in the '90s blockbuster. WB announced the fourth 'Matrix' movie was officially in the works in August. In addition to Wachowski, the script is also written by Aleksandar Hemon and David Mitchell. Wachowski is also producing with Grant Hill. The film is expected to begin production at the beginning of 2020.
"We could not be more excited to be re-entering The Matrix with Lana,” Warner Bros. Pictures Group chairman Toby Emmerich said in August when the film was first announced. “Lana is a true visionary—a singular and original creative filmmaker—and we are thrilled that she is writing, directing and producing this new chapter in The Matrix universe."
The outlet also reported that the three previous films — 'The Matrix,' 'The Matrix Reloaded' and 'The Matrix Revolutions' — have collectively raked in more than $1.6 billion at the global box office. All three were written and directed by Lana and her sister, Lilly, and starred Reeves and Moss in lead roles.
Wachowski added that many of the ideas she and her sister Lilly Wachowski "explored 20 years ago about our reality are even more relevant now” and that she is “very happy to have these characters back in my life and grateful for another chance to work with my brilliant friends."
The 'Aquaman' star is going to be back on TV screens soon with HBO’s upcoming 'Watchmen' series from Damon Lindelof. Previously, he was seen alongside Anthony Mackie in season 5 of Netflix's 'Black Mirror'.