10 "Then Vs. Now" Pics Of "The Matrix" Cast That Will Make You Say, "Whoa"

    There is no spoon.

    Crystal Ro
    by Crystal Ro

    BuzzFeed Staff

    It's been over 20 years since The Matrix entered the lexicon, and with the new (and fourth!!) film in the series, The Matrix Resurrections, set to hit theaters this week, we thought it'd be a fun time to take a look back at the stars of the original film then and now.

    Warner Bros. / Via giphy.com

    So, buckle your seatbelt, Dorothy, because Kansas is going bye-bye...

    1. Keanu Reeves as Neo then and Keanu Reeves now:

    Keanu in 1999 in the Matrix with short hair, looking series, Keanu now on the red carpet at an event with longer hair and a beard
    Warner Bros., Taylor Hill / Getty Images

    Then: Keanu was already a big star, having major studio hits like Speed, Point Break, and of course Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure under his belt (among dozens of other iconic films). 

    Now: Keanu continues to be a major box office draw with his wildly popular John Wick film franchise, reboots like Bill & Ted Face the Music and The Matrix Resurrections, and even becoming an internet meme superstar.

    2. Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus and Laurence Fishburne now:

    Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus in 1999 and Laurence Fishburne now on the Red Carpet with a thin mustache, but the same bald head
    Warner Bros., Rodin Eckenroth / Getty Images

    Then: Before his iconic turn as Morpheus, Fishburne had pivotal roles in acclaimed films like Boyz n the Hood, Apocalypse Now, and What's Love Got to Do With It (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor).

    Now: Fishburne is as busy as ever, having reunited with Matrix costar Reeves for the John Wick series and also joining the MCU with Ant-Man and the Wasp. 

    3. Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity and Carrie-Anne Moss now:

    Trinity looking serious and Carrie Anne Moss on the red carpet now with longer hair and wearing earrings
    Warner Bros., Jon Kopaloff / Getty Images

    Then: Moss had starred in a handful of films and TV projects prior to The Matrix, but after her amazing performance as Trinity, Moss then starred in major films like Memento (for which she won an Independent Spirit Award), Chocolat, and Disturbia.

    Now: Moss has joined the MCU as Jeri Hogarth in Marvel shows like Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Iron Fist, and The Defenders, and, of course, he is reprising the role of Trinity for The Matrix Resurrections.

    4. Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith and Hugo Weaving now:

    Agent Smith dressed in a suit with an ear device, Hugo Weaving smiling with a beard and longer hair
    Warner Bros., Lisa Maree Williams / Getty Images

    Then: Prior to his pivotal role as Agent Smith in The Matrix, Weaving had a successful career in Australia on both stage and screen. After The Matrix, Weaving went on to to star in major films like The Lord of the Rings trilogy and Transformers and also joined the MCU as Red Skull in Captain America: The First Avenger.

    Now: Weaving costars in the Apple TV+ series Mr. Corman.

    5. Joe Pantoliano as Cypher and Joe Pantoliano now:

    Cypher in the Matrix, Joe Pantoliano
    Warner Bros., Slaven Vlasic / Getty Images

    Then: Prior to The Matrix, Pantoliano starred in major shows and films like Hill Street Blues, The Goonies, The Fugitive, the Bad Boys films, and TONS more.

    Now: Pantoliano has starred in shows like the MacGyver reboot and Sense8 and reprised his role as Captain Conrad Howard in Bad Boys for Life.

    6. Julian Arahanga as Apoc and Julian Arahanga now:

    Apoc talking to Neo in the canteen, and Arahanga giving a Ted Talk now
    Warner Bros., TEDx Talks / Via youtube.com

    Then: Prior to The Matrix, Arahnga starred in the New Zealand drama film Once Were Warriors, which went on to become the highest-grossing film of all time in New Zealand. 

    Now: Arahnga continues to work in film in New Zealand and has even jumped behind the camera as a producer and director.

    7. Belinda McClory as Switch and Belinda McClory now:

    Belinda then with short blonde hair and Belinda now with short dark hair
    Warner Bros., Turkey Shoot / Via youtube.com

    Then: McClory had starred in just a few projects prior to her biggest role as Switch in The Matrix.

    Now: McClory continues to act on both screen and stage in Australia and has even ventured into writing.

    8. Marcus Chong as Tank and Marcus Chong now:

    Warner Bros., Twitter: @MarcusChongsite

    Then: Prior to The Matrix, Chong starred in a number of films and TV movies, including the Vanishing Son series and Cheech & Chong's Next Movie (fun fact: Tommy Chong is Marcus's father by adoption!).

    Now: Chong, whose character was written out of the sequel films, wrote a book called The Kill Off about his negative experiences with the making of the film and its sequels.

    9. Anthony Ray Parker as Dozer and Anthony Ray Parker now:

    Dozer talking to Neo in the canteen, and Parker now, with a bald head, glasses, and goatee
    Warner Bros., Magna Talent / Via youtube.com

    Then: Prior to The Matrix, Parker had a role in Peter Jackson's The Frighteners and has since starred in popular shows like Spartacus and Euphoria.

    Now: Parker has several more films coming soon, including Ara and The Resolve.

    10. Matt Doran as Mouse and Matt Doran now:

    Matt then with no mustache or beard and now with both
    Warner Bros., Joel Rheinberger / Via youtube.com

    Then: Prior to The Matrix, Doran had a small roll in the critically acclaimed film The Thin Red Line, and then, just after his turn as Mouse, he also had a role in Star Wars: Episode II — Attack of the Clones as Elan Sleazebaggano, a "death stick dealer."

    Now: Doran's last credited role was in the 2017 film Trafficked, starring Ashley Judd and Sean Patrick Flanery.

    Note: Gloria Foster (who played The Oracle) was not included in this list because she died in 2001.

    Do you love The Matrix as much as I do? Well, get ready for The Matrix Resurrections, because it opens in theaters Dec. 22 and will also be available on HBO Max for 31 days from theatrical release. And you can watch the most recent trailer here:

    View this video on YouTube
    Warner Bros. / Via youtube.com