The Matrix Resurrections: Who is the New Morpheus?

Hello and welcome, Matrix fans who are insane enough to chase down sequel theories on Medium. I have a theory based on Matrix being divided into factions and I’ll be running with it.

So, first of all, this theory assumes The Matrix Online is still canon and the Matrix Resurrections movie will build its story accordingly. Secondly, there is no second item on this list. Let’s go.

Neo still has his powers, but he seems much more agitated while using them.

So, during the events of the Matrix Online, there were multiple factions at play, each having their own agendas ranging from trying to get themselves inserted back in the Matrix (Cypherites) to trying to uphold Neo’s mission (E Pluribus Neo). These factions each employed multiple ways to achieve their goals, such as E Pluribus Neo being established by the Kid himself but having radical sub-groups in it.

In war times, war happens. But in peace times, there’s a bigger war. The struggle for power destabilizes the Truce brought through Neo’s sacrifice.

Now, how does this info relate to the new Matrix movie? Well, first of all we see Neo is back in the Matrix or at least a version of it. We see machines working on a blinded Neo’s body, confirming this takes place right after he brokered the Truce with the Machines. We see two pods, one of which is definitely holding Neo. This means the Machines have decided to put Neo back in the Matrix, for some reason. I suspect this reason might be a very direct, machine-like logic.

Simulatte is a great pun, I have to admit.

In each version, a “Neo” will happen, a random person will get admin privileges, despite the Architect’s sincerest efforts. The anomaly that is “the One” cannot be completely eliminated, so the anomaly is put through a fake, heroic narrative where he is guided towards perpetuating the system. So, after his showdown with Smith, Neo is taken away by the Machines but wasn’t confirmed to be dead.

My theory is that the Machines, being the machines they are, decided to put Neo back in the Matrix so that the system won’t create another One to take his place. Neo already fills the spot of the One and the Machines have him under close surveillance and control. This prevents a new One from emerging.

Neo is given a luxury life, most likely based on Cypher’s wishes when he was trying to get back into the Matrix. To remember nothing and be “someone important, like an actor”. When putting Neo back in, the Machines followed Cypher’s advice and made him an actor, which is why we see a scene from the first Matrix movie in a theater-like setting. Because Neo instinctively remembers what happened, he’s led to believe that the stuff he remembers and the dreams he’s having are just memories from his time filming the Matrix Trilogy. Wachowskis never shied away from meta-commentary, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Lana Wachowski decided to turn Neo into a meta version of Keanu.

If explained well, the new Morpheus could actually work. People are, justifiably, disgruntled at Laurence Fishburne’s absence.

While Neo lives a life in the Matrix, unaware of his true nature, just like Morpheus and his crew found him, another crew finds him to be the One. This new group, which is what this theory is about, is one of the warring factions in the Matrix. They are aware of Neo’s history, so they recreate the Morpheus scenario to recruit him. Having Neo in their faction would surely help them get the upper hand, yes?

This is why there’s a new Morpheus in the Matrix Resurrections. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s character is an impostor who re-enacts Morpheus’ relationship with Neo to get him to remember who he is and/or join their faction. Taking the Matrix Online as canon, the original Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) is dead. He’s killed by the mysterious Assassin, in a terrible cutscene, I have to add.

There are multiple other mysteries in the trailer such as Trinity also returning, green-code-eyes zombie-like people in the Matrix, Neo and Trinity creating a shining bright white light akin to the one that destroyed Smith from the inside in Revolutions. All these will be answered, probably accompanied by many more questions in December. I trust Lana Wachowski’s vision, especially because she and Lilly both declined to make a Matrix sequel for years. If she’s doing it now, I’d like to believe she has a good reason. I’m just leaving this article here so that I can say “called it!” 2 months later. Cheers.