The Matrix 5 seems to have the perfect opportunity to pay off the franchise’s 7-year-old missed Michael B. Jordan casting opportunity. Serving as the fifth installment in the main Matrix movie series, The Matrix 5 has surprisingly been greenlit even though 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections performed poorly at the box office and even received underwhelming reviews from viewers and critics. However, despite the recent installment’s failures, it is hard not to be excited about Matrix 5 because of the overarching franchise’s enduring appeal and its timeless sci-fi concepts and philosophies.

What makes Matrix 5 even more exciting is that it has the opportunity to learn from the success of the early installments of the franchise while also avoiding the mistakes made by the not-so-memorable sequels. Considering the massive scope of the ideas presented in the franchise, the new Matrix movie also holds the opportunity to delve into all the story beats and ideas its predecessors left unexplored. One of these unexplored narrative avenues for the franchise also involved Michael B. Jordan, whose casting can be reconsidered for The Matrix 5.

Matrix 5 Could Finally Bring Michael B. Jordan To The Franchise After Failed Movie Plan

Michael B. Jordan Was Reportedly Cast In A Canceled Matrix Movie

According to reports (via The Hollywood Reporter), Warner Bros. was developing a Matrix reboot in 2017, which was supposed to star Michael B. Jordan. Zak Penn, of the Ready Player One and The Avengers fame, was supposed to be the writer for the project, and the production flywheels for the film were starting to gain some momentum. Penn even revealed that the reboot was going to feature Morpheus’s descendant or ancestor as one of its characters, which is likely the role Michael B. Jordan would have played in the film. The reboot never happened, but The Matrix 5 could finally materialize its Michael B. Jordan casting plan.

Although The Matrix 5 has been confirmed with Drew Goddard as its director, almost all details surrounding its story and cast are still under wraps. Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss anchored all the previous franchise installments by playing Neo and Trinity, respectively. However, given how Drew Goddard’s idea for continuing the franchise is being touted as a unique take on the world created by Lana and Lilly Wachowski, it will likely not be a direct continuation of the character beats from its predecessors. This gives The Matrix 5 the perfect opportunity to involve Michael B. Jordan in the project.

How Michael B. Jordan Could Bring Morpheus Back In Matrix 5

He Could Either Be Young Morpheus Or Someone Related To Him

The Matrix 5 could serve as a prequel to the first Matrix film, walking through Morpheus’ journey of waking up many others from The Matrix before he takes Neo to the Oracle. Michael B. Jordan would be the perfect casting choice for a younger version of Morpheus. Alternatively, the fifth film could also follow Zak Penn’s original plan and feature Michael B. Jordan as a character related to Morpheus. Regardless of how The Matrix 5 portrays Michael B. Jordan, he would undoubtedly be a great addition to the film’s roster. Hopefully, he will get a second shot at starring in The Matrix franchise after the failed reboot plan.