7 Shocking New Projects And Career Moves That Prove Laurence Fishburne Is Dominating 2025

Laurence Fishburne, the veteran actor whose career spans over five decades, is currently experiencing one of the most dynamic and prolific phases of his life, with a slate of major projects dominating the landscape in late 2025 and 2026. As of December 18, 2025, the Hollywood legend is not only headlining major film releases but is also making headlines with a powerful return to the stage and surprising public comments about his iconic roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and The Matrix franchise. His ability to seamlessly transition between blockbusters, prestige television, and deeply personal stage work cements his status as one of the industry's most versatile and enduring talents.

This article dives deep into the most current and upcoming work of Laurence Fishburne, from his highly-anticipated sci-fi thrillers to his critically acclaimed one-man show, providing an essential update on the man who gave the world Morpheus and Furious Styles.

Laurence Fishburne: Complete Biography and Iconic Career Profile

Born Robert Laurence Fishburne III, the actor has built a powerful legacy through a commitment to challenging and diverse roles, beginning his career at an astonishingly young age.

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• Full Name: Robert Laurence Fishburne III
• Date of Birth: July 30, 1961
• Place of Birth: Augusta, Georgia, U.S.
• Height: 6 ft (1.84 m)
• Debut Role: Appeared on the daytime soap opera One Life to Live at age 10.
• Breakthrough Role: Cast at age 14 as Tyrone "Mr. Clean" Miller in Francis Ford Coppola's 1979 epic, Apocalypse Now.
• Major Awards & Nominations:
  • Academy Award Nomination: Best Actor for his portrayal of Ike Turner in What's Love Got to Do with It (1993).
  • Tony Award Win: Best Featured Actor in a Play for his performance in August Wilson's Two Trains Running (1992).
  • Emmy Awards: Six-time winner for various television projects, including his work on Tribeca and his role as a producer.
• Most Iconic Roles: Morpheus (The Matrix trilogy), Furious Styles (Boyz n the Hood), Cowboy Curtis (Pee-wee's Playhouse), Jack Crawford (Hannibal), and The Bowery King (John Wick franchise).

The 2025/2026 Film Slate: Sci-Fi, Espionage, and Coppola's Epic

The latter half of 2025 and 2026 are packed with high-profile film projects, demonstrating Fishburne's continued ability to command major roles across multiple genres. These upcoming releases solidify his presence in Hollywood's A-list.

1. The Astronaut: A Psychological Thriller (October 2025 Release)

One of the most immediate and highly-anticipated projects is the sci-fi psychological thriller, The Astronaut.

The film, which co-stars Kate Mara and Gabriel Luna, is slated for release on October 17, 2025.

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Fishburne plays a key role in the movie, which centers on an astronaut who returns to Earth after a mission only to find her reality—and identity—profoundly altered.

2. The Amateur: Espionage Thriller with Rami Malek

Fishburne is set to appear in The Amateur, an espionage thriller directed by James Hawes.

He joins a star-studded cast that includes Rami Malek, Rachel Brosnahan, and Jon Bernthal.

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This project is poised to be a major theatrical release in 2026, pitting Fishburne in a high-stakes, action-driven narrative that is a staple of his career.

3. Megalopolis: The Return to Francis Ford Coppola

Perhaps the most talked-about film on his horizon is *Megalopolis*, the passion project of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola.

This film marks a significant reunion for Fishburne and Coppola, who first worked together when Fishburne was a teenager on Apocalypse Now.

The film has been shrouded in mystery and anticipation, with Fishburne joining a cast that includes Adam Driver and Forest Whitaker in what is expected to be a cinematic event.

4. 'Clipped': Dominating Prestige Television as Doc Rivers

Fishburne has also made a significant splash in the world of prestige television with the FX limited series, Clipped.

In this series, he delivers a powerful performance as former Los Angeles Clippers coach Doc Rivers.

The show goes behind the scenes of the notorious Donald Sterling scandal, examining themes of racism, privilege, and power within the NBA.

The role has been praised for its depth and timely relevance, further showcasing his dramatic range outside of the sci-fi and action genres.

The Future of Morpheus and MCU: Fishburne's Surprising 2025 Comic Con Reveals

The actor generated significant buzz at the 2025 New York Comic Con (NYCC), where he was a major draw.

His comments on two of his most beloved franchises—The Matrix and the MCU—were candid and immediately went viral.

5. A Conditional Return to The Matrix

During a reunion panel at NYCC 2025, Fishburne addressed the possibility of returning to his iconic role as Morpheus in a future Matrix film.

He stated that his return is entirely dependent on the quality of the script. "If it's great, then yeah, if it makes sense," he commented, indicating that the creative integrity of the project is his primary consideration.

This measured response keeps the door open for a return to the digital world, a prospect that has fans of the original trilogy eagerly awaiting any further developments.

6. Seeking a New Role in the MCU

Fishburne, who previously played Bill Foster (Goliath) in Ant-Man and the Wasp, also revealed his interest in returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe—but in a completely different capacity.

He expressed a desire to take on a new, more substantial role, particularly as Marvel continues to expand its universe and integrate characters like the X-Men.

His willingness to pivot roles within the same comic book universe is highly unusual and reflects his dedication to finding compelling characters, regardless of previous appearances.

7. A Personal Return to the Stage: 'Like They Do In The Movies'

Beyond the silver screen, Fishburne has returned to his theatrical roots with a new one-man show titled 'Like They Do In The Movies'.

This personal and intimate show, which premiered in late 2025, allows the actor to explore his life and career in a way that differs dramatically from his blockbuster roles.

The critical acclaim for his stage work, including his Tony Award win for Two Trains Running, highlights his commitment to the craft, and this new show is a powerful reminder of his versatility as a performer.

From the high-octane action of the John Wick universe (where he recently reprised his role as The Bowery King in Chapter 4) to the dramatic gravitas of playing Doc Rivers in Clipped, Laurence Fishburne continues to prove why he is a cinematic titan. His upcoming slate, featuring the sci-fi tension of The Astronaut and the historical weight of Megalopolis, ensures that his presence will be felt across all major entertainment platforms well into 2026 and beyond. Fans can look forward to a continued stream of compelling, high-quality performances from this legendary actor.