We've got a little update on The Matrix 4 involving a fan-favorite, very important character. It was reported back in October that Watchmen star Yahya Abdul-Mateen II had been cast in the sequel, but details on his role are being kept under lock and key. Now, we're hearing that the actor is going to be playing a young version of Morpheus in the movie, which raises a great many questions about where the story is heading.

Right up top, we must caution that this is merely a rumor for the time being. Until someone officially connected with the production confirms it, that's all it is. That having been said, a new report suggests that the longstanding rumor that a young Morpheus will appear in the movie is true and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is the guy who will bring him to life. When the actor's casting was initially reported, it was said his role would be significant. That's once again reiterated here. This is not going to be some small sequence in which a young Morpheus appears. This is going to be a large part of the story.

But one has to wonder, will Laurence Fishburne be back in some capacity? He played the character in the original trilogy and was a major part of the story. It's especially interesting, considering that Keanu Reeves is confirmed to be returning as Neo, with Carrie-Anne Moss also coming back as Trinity. So why not bring back Laurence Fishburne as well? It's possible they could still bring him back, and maybe we'll have a young and older Morpheus running around at the same time. In any event, it seems this new entry is going to be playing with the timeline a bit.

For now, all we can really do is speculate. Plot details are being kept secretive at present and it's unlikely Warner Bros. will pull the curtain back too much ahead of, or during production. Matrix 4 is expected to shoot in early 2020. Lana Wachowski, who co-directed the original trilogy with her sister Lily Wachowski, is returning to helm the sequel. It hasn't yet been revealed why Lily Wachowski isn't coming back to direct as well. Lana Wachowski also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Aleksandar Hemon (Sense8) and David Mitchell (Cloud Atlas).

New cast members include Toby Onwumere (Sense8, Empire), Jessica Henwick (Iron Fist, Game of Thrones) and Neil Patrick Harris (How I Met Your Mother, Gone Girl). Details on their roles are also being kept under wraps, but it's rumored Harris is playing a villain. Jada Pinkett Smith (Girls Trip, Magic Mike XXL) is also on board to reprise her role as Niobe. The Matrix 4 is set to hit theaters on May 21, 2021. We'll be sure to keep you posted as any further details on the project are made available. This news comes to us via The Illuminderdi.