Hugo Weaving will not return for The Matrix 4

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

When Warner Bros. announced last year that a fourth MATRIX film was in the works courtesy of Lana Wachowksi, I was ecstatic. Although I remain a huge fan of the original, its sequels THE MATRIX RELOADED and THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS were convoluted, overstuffed, and downright ridiculous in parts. Nevertheless I remain optimistic about a fourth go-round, especially with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss returning. Just like the groundbreaking 1999 film, I'm positive this third sequel will push the boundaries of visual effects.

As I mentioned before, both Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will reprise their roles as Neo and Trinity respectively. To me that's essential. I don't think you can rightly call it a MATRIX film without those two characters. I'd argue that the same holds true for the franchise's chief villain Agent Smith, played by LORD OF THE RINGS veteran Hugo Weaving. Unfortunately myself and other Weaving fans must now face the prospect that the Australian actor will not be returning to the franchise.

In an interview with Time Out London, the actor confirmed that he will not be involved with the upcoming science-fiction project:

“It’s unfortunate but actually I had this offer [for ‘The Visit’] and then the offer came from ‘The Matrix,’ so I knew it was happening but I didn’t have dates. I thought [I] could do both and it took eight weeks to work out that the dates would work – I held off on accepting [a role in ‘The Visit’ during that time]. I was in touch with [director] Lana Wachowski, but in the end she decided that the dates weren’t going to work. So we’d sorted the dates and then she sort of changed her mind. They’re pushing on ahead without me.”

Now far be it from me to cast aspersions on this situation but I think both Lana Wachowski and Hugo Weaving share the blame for Weaving's lack of involvement. On the one hand it sounds like things were in place for Weaving to join the production but Lana Wachowski inexplicably changed her mind on the dates. Obviously dates shift all the time on major films like this, but Weaving was clearly trying to be accommodate Lana Wachowski and she moved the goal posts. On the other hand Weaving turned down the opportunity to reprise arguably his most iconic role in order to do a sixty-four year old tragicomic play by a Swiss dramatist. Come on man! Really??

It's important to note that just because Hugo Weaving won't be involved with the fourth MATRIX film, it doesn't mean his character won't return. There's the distinct possibility another actor could be cast in the role. Although Agent Smith (SPOILER ALERT FOR A SEVENTEEN YEAR OLD MOVIE) dies at the end of THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, there's no reason his character can't come back. Reason being that A) this is a science-fiction movie and B) Agent Smith returned in THE MATRIX RELOADED after supposedly dying in the original. Honestly, I highly doubt the character of Agent Smith won't return for THE MATRIX 4.

What say you guys? Are you disappointed Hugo Weaving won't return? Who would you recast in the role? Are you excited about a fourth MATRIX movie? Sound off in the comments below!