More than two decades after the release of The Matrix, Laurence Fishburne has opened up about the intense physical preparation he and Keanu Reeves underwent to bring the film’s legendary dojo fight scene to life — a process that took nearly 10 months of training and left both actors “black and blue.”

Speaking at New York Comic Con alongside his former co-star Joe Pantoliano, the 64-year-old Emmy winner reflected on the dedication required to film one of the most iconic sequences in cinematic history.

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10 Months of Training Before Cameras Rolled

Fishburne revealed that the preparation for the Matrix dojo fight scene began long before filming even started. “We trained for six months before we got to Australia,” he said. “Once we arrived, we continued practicing the fight for another four months before we shot it.”

The actor explained that despite months of rehearsals, he and Keanu Reeves didn’t perform the fight at full intensity until filming began. “Then we shot it over like three days. We had never done it full out. We had always marked it. We had never really used all of our physical energy to do it,” Fishburne recalled.

By the end of the shoot, both stars were physically battered from their efforts. “Both Keanu and I were black and blue with bruises on our forearms,” he admitted. “We had never made contact like that before. That’s how committed we were to making it real.”

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No Shortcuts in Building The Matrix’s Martial Arts Legacy

The level of physical and creative dedication behind The Matrix was a hallmark of the production. Fishburne emphasized that “none of the actors took shortcuts,” crediting the Wachowski siblings for creating an environment of total commitment.

“They had a vision and they communicated it clearly,” he said. “We knew what they wanted to accomplish — and we wanted to match that ambition.”

Pantoliano, who played Cypher in the original film, likened the production to “a ballet,” praising the way the action sequences were filmed. “There weren’t a lot of cuts. It was continuous. It was the first time actors were actually doing the kung fu themselves,” he said.

He added that The Matrix changed the trajectory of action filmmaking: “After that, everyone copied it — but poorly and badly with multi-cuts and tight shots. The Matrix is a symphony compared to what we see today.”

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The Matrix Legacy and Fishburne’s Connection to the Franchise

Originally released in 1999, The Matrix redefined the sci-fi and action genres with its groundbreaking visual effects and philosophical storytelling. Alongside Reeves and Fishburne, the cast included Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Gloria Foster.

The film’s success spawned two sequels — The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions — both released in 2003, and later a fourth installment, The Matrix Resurrections (2021). Reeves and Moss reprised their roles as Neo and Trinity in the latest sequel, though Fishburne’s Morpheus was notably absent.

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Fishburne on a Possible Return to The Matrix

When asked earlier this year on The View whether he would consider returning to the franchise, Fishburne left the door open:

“It depends on the circumstances — who is involved, how well the script has been written, and if they offer me,” he said. “I offered my services for the fourth Matrix, and they didn’t respond well. So hey, it’s not like I didn’t try. We’ll see.”

Despite his absence from The Matrix Resurrections, Fishburne remains one of the franchise’s most beloved figures, with his portrayal of Morpheus still celebrated by fans worldwide.

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The Matrix’s Lasting Cultural Impact

More than 25 years later, The Matrix continues to influence modern action cinema and pop culture. The film’s groundbreaking fight choreography — directed by legendary martial arts choreographer Yuen Woo-ping — remains a benchmark for authenticity and artistry in Hollywood.

Fishburne and Reeves’ dedication to performing their own stunts helped redefine the standard for action acting, setting the stage for future franchises like John Wick, in which the duo reunited years later.

For fans eager to revisit the groundbreaking trilogy, The Matrix films are currently available to stream on Tubi and other major platforms.