Matrix Resurrections is out in theaters, featuring a nostalgia-filled returned to the universe that has many fans and critics divided (Check out our review here).
The film heralded the return of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Ann Moss as Neo and Trinity, while other roles were recast. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II plays the pill-pushing Morpheus, taking over the character that was previously played by Lawrence Fishburn in the original trilogy.
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He wasn’t the only character that was recast, though, as this film features the return of Agent Smith…played by Jonathan Groff rather than Hugo Weaving.
What Happened To Hugo Weaving In Matrix Resurrections?
According to an interview that co-writer Aleksander Hemon did with io9, Matrix Resurrections almost brought back Weaving in the role:
“A new Morpheus was there from the beginning, During my brief career in the movies, I’ve learned that moviemaking, it’s a world of contingency. And so people might or might not, you know, sign on-or if they sign on, some things may change. So we did write some roles, I’m not going to give it away, but we wrote a character for someone we thought would play [it] and then it was not possible. And so still, we didn’t change anything radically, but we were just imagining this actor in the role. And then it turned out that it was not possible, but we didn’t change any lines with that. So that actor is still inscribed in the role.”
When asked to clarify which role he was talking about, Hemon revealed that it was Agent Smith.
“There were preliminary talks (with Weaving) and so we were not involved in them with people, but it was not entirely resolved,” Hemon said. “Because the premise of The Matrix and (this) movie is somewhat different, Agent Smith would have been different in some ways, no matter who played it. And Jonathan Groff is amazing in that role. He added a dimension that I could not foresee while we were writing. But there’s an increased emotional emotionality in the movie and then he fits into that pattern.”
Though Hugo Weaving couldn’t shoot the movie, Matrix Resurrections still referenced him in many ways. Weaving’s Smith appears several times in flashbacks, as well as in a bust that can be see in the office of Jonathan Groff’s version of the character. There’s also a quick moment where Smith’s DSI (digital self-image) briefly appears to look like Weaving when he looks at himself in a mirror. Though these callbacks are great, many fans are disappointed that director Lana Wachowski and Hugo Weaving weren’t able to work out an arrangement for Weaving’s return. While it wouldn’t have fixed all of the problems with the movie, it would have certainly lent an air of gravitas to the villainous character of Agent Smith.
What are your thoughts on the movie? Let us know in the comments below!
The Matrix Resurrections is written and directed by Lana Wachowski and stars: Keanu Reeves, Carrie Anne-Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff and Neil Patrick Harris. It’s available in theaters and on HBO Max now. What do you all think? Are you planning to watch it? Have you seen it already, if so how did you like it? Let’s discuss everything in the comments down below and on our Twitter.
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Source: Gizmodo
