It's been over 20 years since The Matrix entered the lexicon, and with the new (and fourth!!) film in the series, The Matrix Resurrections , set to hit theaters this week, we thought it'd be a fun time to take a look back at the stars of the original film then and now. Warner Bros. / Via giphy.com
So, buckle your seatbelt, Dorothy because Kansas is going bye bye... 1. Keanu Reeves as Neo then and Keanu Reeves now: Then: Keanu was already a big star, having major studio hits like Speed , Point Break , and of course Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure under his belt (among dozens of other iconic films).
Now: Keanu continues to be a major box office draw with his wildly popular John Wick film franchise, reboots like Bill & Ted Face the Music and The Matrix Resurrections , and even becoming an internet meme super star.
Warner Bros., Taylor Hill / Getty 2. Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus and Laurence Fishburne now: Then : Before his iconic turn as Morpheus, Fishburne had pivitol roles in acclaimed films like Boyz n the Hood , Apocalypse Now, and What's Love Got to Do With It (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor).
Now: Fishburne is as busy as ever, having reunited with Matrix co-star Reeves for the John Wick series and also joining the MCU with Ant-Man and the Wasp .
Warner Bros., Rodin Eckenroth / Getty 3. Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity and Carrie-Anne Moss now: Then : Moss had starred in a handful of films and TV projects prior to The Matrix , however after her amazing performance as Trinity, Moss then starred in major films like Memento (for which she won an Independent Spirit Award), Chocolat , and Disturbia .
Now: Moss has joined the MCU as Jeri Hogarth in Marvel shows like Jessica Jones , Daredevil , Iron Fist , and The Defenders and, of course, is reprising the role of Trinity for The Matrix Resurrections .
Warner Bros., Jon Kopaloff / Getty 4. Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith and Hugo Weaving now: Then: Prior to his pivotal role as Agent Smith in The Matrix , Weaving had a successful career in Australia both on stage and screen. After The Matrix Weaving went on to to star in major films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Transformers , and also joining the MCU as Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger .
Now : Weaving co-stars in the Apple TV+ series Mr. Corman.
Warner Bros., Lisa Maree Williams / Getty 5. Joe Pantoliano as Cypher and Joe Pantoliano now: Then: Prior to The Matrix , Pantoliano starred in major shows and films like Hill Street Blues , The Goonies , The Fugitive , the Bad Boys films, and TONS more.
Now: Pantoliano has starred in shows like the MacGyver reboot, Sense8 , and reprising his role as Captain Conrad Howard in Bad Boys for Life .
Warner Bros., Slaven Vlasic / Getty 6. Julian Arahanga as Apoc and Julian Arahanga now: Then: Prior to The Matrix , Arahnga starred in the New Zealand drama film Once Were Warriors , which went on to become the highest-grossing film of all-time in New Zealand.
Now: Arahnga continues to work in film in New Zealand, and has even jumped behind the camera as a producer and director.
Warner Bros., TEDx Talks / Via youtube.com 7. Belinda McClory as Switch and Belinda McClory now: Then: McClory had starred in just a few projects prior to her biggest role as Switch in The Matrix.
Now: McClory continues to act both on screen and stage in Australia and has even ventured into writing.
Warner Bros., Turkey Shoot / Via youtube.com 8. Marcus Chong as Tank and Marcus Chong now: Then: Prior to The Matrix , Chong starred in a number of films and TV movies including the Vanishing Son series and Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (fun fact: Tommy Chong is Marcus's father by adoption!).
Now: Chong, whose character was written out for the sequel films, wrote a book called The Kill Off about his negative experiences with the making of the film and its sequels.
Warner Bros., Twitter: @MarcusChongsite 9. Anthony Ray Parker as Dozer and Anthony Ray Parker now: Then: Prior to The Matrix , Parker had a role in Peter Jackson's The Frighteners and has since starred in popular shows like Spartacus and Euphoria .
Now : Parker has several more films coming soon including Ara and The Resolve .
Warner Bros., Magna Talent / Via youtube.com 10. Matt Doran as Mouse and Matt Doran now: Then: Prior to The Matrix Doran had a small roll in the critically acclaimed film The Thin Red Line and then just after his turn as Mouse, he also had a role in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones as Elan Sleazebaggano a "death stick dealer."
Now : Doran's last credited role was in the 2017 film Trafficked starring Ashley Judd and Sean Patrick Flanery.
Warner Bros., Joel Rheinberger / Via youtube.com Note: Gloria Foster (who played The Oracle) was not included in this list because she died in 2001 .
Do you love The Matrix as much as I do? Well get ready for The Matrix Resurrections , because it opens in theaters on Dec. 22, 2021 and will also be available on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release. And you can watch the most recent trailer here: View comments