‘The Matrix’ Cast Then and Now, 25 Years After Keanu Reeves Became Neo

<p id=”par-1_42″>The <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/the-matrix/”><em>Matrix</em></a><em> </em>cast and crew revolutionized movies 25 years ago with a mesmerizing story <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-matrix-needed-120-cameras-to-film-movies-iconic-bullet-time-scenes.html/”>and cutting-edge technology</a>. Directed by the Wachowskis, <em>The Matrix </em>became a surprise hit in 1999 and launched a franchise that extended to movies, comics, TV, and video games.</p>

<p id=”par-2_74″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/keanu-reeves/”>Keanu Reeves</a> gave a career-defining performance as Neo, paving the way for his status as a bonafide action star and fan-favorite actor. His supporting cast in <em>The Matrix </em>included Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving. Together, they delivered a movie that influenced a generation of filmmaking and holds up 25 years later. <em>The Matrix </em>may have been a surprise then, but now it’s no wonder the cast remains active in movies and TV.</p>

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<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-keanu-reeves”>Keanu Reeves</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-large” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” fetchpriority=”high” width=”3508″ height=”2480″ src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=1024&h=724&strip=all&quality=89″ alt=”‘The Matrix’ cast member Keanu Reeves in 1999 and 2024″ class=”wp-image-3643952″ srcset=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg 3508w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=640&h=452 640w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=768&h=543 768w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=1024&h=724 1024w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=1536&h=1086 1536w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=2048&h=1448 2048w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=495&h=350 495w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=239&h=169 239w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=200&h=141 200w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=717&h=507 717w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/MixCollage-25-Mar-2024-01-02-PM-8905.jpg?w=85&h=60 85w” sizes=”(max-width: 3508px) 100vw, 3508px”><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Keanu Reeves | Brenda ChaseOnline USA, Inc (L); Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images (R)</figcaption></figure>

<p id=”par-3_58″>Before being cast in <em>The Matrix, </em>Keanu Reeves was best known for the <em>Bill and Ted </em>comedies and action movies like <em>Point Break </em>and <em>Speed</em>. However, his career turned when he <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/keanu-reeves-snagged-matrix-role-in-office-parking-lot.html/”>landed the role of Neo</a> in <em>The Matrix, </em>taking over a part that had Will Smith, Nicolas Cage, and Leonardo DiCaprio attached to it at various stages.</p>

<p id=”par-4_51″>Twenty-five years later, Reeves is still making massive action movies. He starred in three <em>Matrix </em>sequels and four <em>John Wick </em>films. Reeves, 59, returns as John Wick in the 2025 spinoff <em>Ballerina</em>, then has starring roles in the comedies <em>Good Fortune</em>,<em> </em>directed by Aziz Ansari, and <em>Outcome </em>directed by Jonah Hill.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-carrie-anne-moss”>Carrie-Anne Moss</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-large” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” width=”3508″ height=”2480″ src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=1024&h=724&strip=all&quality=89″ alt=”‘The Matrix’ cast member Carrie-Anne Moss” class=”wp-image-3643956″ srcset=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg 3508w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=640&h=452 640w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=768&h=543 768w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=1024&h=724 1024w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=1536&h=1086 1536w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=2048&h=1448 2048w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=495&h=350 495w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=239&h=169 239w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=200&h=141 200w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=717&h=507 717w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Carrie-Anne-Moss.jpg?w=85&h=60 85w” sizes=”(max-width: 3508px) 100vw, 3508px”><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Carrie-Anne Moss | Patrick Riviere (L); Steve Jennings/Getty Images (R)</figcaption></figure>

<p id=”par-5_37″>Carrie-Anne Moss admitted she <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/carrie-anne-moss-considered-waiting-tables-filming-matrix-get-didnt-paid-much-movie.html/”>didn’t have much of a career</a> before joining the <em>Matrix </em>cast. She had guest roles on TV series such as <em>Baywatch </em>and <em>Due South</em> while also picking up supporting roles in B movies.</p>

<p id=”par-6_53″>Janet Jackson and Sandra Bullock were both offered the role of Trinity. Actors Salma Hayek, Rosie Perez, and Jada Pinkett-Smith auditioned for the part before directors cast Moss. In 2024, she co-starred in the comedy/drama <em>Accidental Texan</em>. The 56-year-old Moss also plays the Jedi master Indara in the Star Wars series <em>The Acolyte</em>.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-laurence-fishburne”>Laurence Fishburne</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-large” id=”emb-4″><img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” width=”1500″ height=”1060″ src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=1024&h=724&strip=all&quality=89″ alt=”‘The Matrix’ cast member Laurence Fishburne.” class=”wp-image-3643957″ srcset=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg 1500w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=640&h=452 640w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=768&h=543 768w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=1024&h=724 1024w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=495&h=350 495w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=239&h=169 239w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=200&h=141 200w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=717&h=507 717w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Laurence-Fishburne.jpg?w=85&h=60 85w” sizes=”(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px”><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Laurence Fishburne | S. Granitz/WireImage (L); Bruce Glikas/Getty Images (R)</figcaption></figure>

<p id=”par-7_40″>On instruction from the Wachowskis, Laurence Fishburne based his performance as Morpheus on the character of the same name in the <em>Sandman </em>comics. Fishburne reportedly understood <em>The Matrix </em>from the jump but wasn’t convinced the complicated story would get made.</p>

<p id=”par-8_68″>Samuel L. Jackson, Val Kilmer, and Gary Oldman were also considered for the role of Morpheus. Fishburne reprised his part in two <em>Matrix </em>sequels but <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-matrix-resurrections-laurence-fishburne-admits-not-invited-to-play-morpheus-matrix-four.html/”>did not return</a> for 2021’s <em>Matrix Resurrections</em>. The actor, now 62, had a busy year in 2024, appearing in four movies: <em>Slingshot</em>, <em>Megalopolis</em>, <em>Transformers One</em>, and <em>The Amateur</em>. In 2025, he returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Dr. Bill Foster in <em>Thunderbolts</em>.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-hugo-weaving”>Hugo Weaving</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-large” id=”emb-5″><img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” width=”3508″ height=”2480″ src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=1024&h=724&strip=all&quality=89″ alt=”‘The Matrix’ cast member Hugo Weaving” class=”wp-image-3643958″ srcset=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg 3508w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=640&h=452 640w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=768&h=543 768w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=1024&h=724 1024w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=1536&h=1086 1536w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=2048&h=1448 2048w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=495&h=350 495w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=239&h=169 239w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=200&h=141 200w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=717&h=507 717w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Hugo-Weaving.jpg?w=85&h=60 85w” sizes=”(max-width: 3508px) 100vw, 3508px”><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Hugo Weaving | Warner Bros./Getty (L); Naomi Rahim/WireImage (R)</figcaption></figure>

<p id=”par-9_36″>Hugo Weaving added his name to the list of greatest movie villains playing Agent Smith in the <em>Matrix </em>cast. Before <em>The Matrix</em>, the actor primarily worked on Australian films but soon found mainstream success in America.</p>

<p id=”par-10_65″>Weaving earned the role after actor Jean Reno turned it down. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/hugo-weaving-mixed-reaction-matrix-resurrections-script.html/”>Weaving returned as Smith</a> in <em>The Matrix Reloaded </em>and <em>The Matrix Revolutions</em>, but like Fishburne, he did not reprise his role in <em>Resurrections</em>. He had supporting roles in the 2023 Australian films <em>The Royal Hotel </em>and <em>The Rooster</em>. At 63, Weaving joins the cast of the Apple TV+ series <em>Slow Horses </em>for season 4.</p>

<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-joe-pantoliano”>Joe Pantoliano</h2>

<figure class=”wp-block-image size-large” id=”emb-6″><img decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” width=”3508″ height=”2480″ src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=1024&h=724&strip=all&quality=89″ alt=”‘The Matrix’ cast member Joe Pantoliano” class=”wp-image-3643959″ srcset=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg 3508w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=640&h=452 640w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=768&h=543 768w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=1024&h=724 1024w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=1536&h=1086 1536w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=2048&h=1448 2048w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=495&h=350 495w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=239&h=169 239w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=200&h=141 200w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=717&h=507 717w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Joe-Pantoliano.jpg?w=85&h=60 85w” sizes=”(max-width: 3508px) 100vw, 3508px”><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Joe Pantoliano | Chris Weeks/Liaison (L); Arturo Holmes/Getty Images (R)</figcaption></figure>

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<p id=”par-11_38″>Joe Pantoliano played a secondary antagonist in <em>The Matrix </em>cast as Cypher. The human regretted leaving the Matrix and ultimately betrayed Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus. Pantoliano’s work in the Wachowskis’ 1996 film <em>Bound </em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/keanu-reeves-the-matrix-co-star-liposuction.html/”>helped him land the role</a>.</p>

<p id=”par-12_35″>In 2024, the 72-year-old Pantoliano reprises his role as Captain Conrad Howard in <em>Bad Boys: Ride or Die</em>. It’s his fourth time playing the character for the franchise led by Will Smith and Martin Lawrence. </p>

<p id=”par-13_14″>Celebrate the 25th anniversary of <em>The Matrix </em>by streaming the sci-fi classic on Max. </p>