Matrix Characters Who Deserve Their Own Spin-Off
After a long hiatus, the "Matrix" franchise finally gets another chance at life thanks to "The Matrix Resurrections," which brings back the original Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) as they navigate through a newer, bluer (literally) version of the virtual reality created to enslave humankind. Set a significant amount of time after the first film, "Resurrections" also reveals or alludes to what's happened to other characters from the original Matrix trilogy while introducing plenty of new faces and altered versions of Matrix mainstays like Morpheus (played this time by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) and Agent Smith (Jonathan Groff). "The Matrix" has also made a comeback to video games with "The Matrix Awakens," an Unreal Engine 5 demo that lets players join Neo and Trinity as IO, who shares a name with the new human city from the most recent film.
Whether a fifth "Matrix" movie will be made or not remains to be seen, but even if it isn't, that doesn't mean the universe can't be revisited in some other way (like through the many other characters within it besides Neo). Jack in and read on as we explore which individuals — human, machine, or Agent — are worthy of a spin-off in a world where not everything is as real as it may seem.
Trinity
Though Trinity dies at the end of the third "Matrix" movie, she and Neo get a new chance at life in "The Matrix Resurrections," where it's revealed that the machines resurrected both of them for the Analyst's version of the Matrix. Furthermore, Trinity goes through a major development in the film when she learns that she, too, now has the powers of the One.
While the first "Matrix" movie does provide clues to Trinity's past — establishing her as a master hacker — not much else has been disclosed about her early days, and a prequel could do a lot to fill out those blanks. Carrie-Anne Moss has even revealed some of her own ideas about Trinity's origins in interviews, mentioning to GQ that she believes the character was freed from the Matrix at an early age, which Morpheus says is usually the case for extracted humans in "The Matrix." Trinity's greatest hacking triumphs could also be portrayed, along with her many encounters with Agent Smith, who in "Revolutions" claims to have failed in capturing Trinity more than any other human. Alternately, while it's guaranteed Trinity will be the co-star of upcoming "Matrix" movies, that doesn't mean she can't have solo adventures set after "Resurrections," too.
Morpheus
Morpheus (originally portrayed by Laurence Fishburne) is a character who captures viewers' attention every time he's on-screen. (And even when he's not, like when he's guiding Neo away from the Agents by phone as they search for "Mister Anderson" at MetaCortex.) The captain of the Nebuchadnezzar is everything you'd want from a leader: wise, warm, strong, and never without hope. Without Morpheus' faith in the One, Neo might never have been freed from the Matrix, and it's that same belief that prevents further bloodshed in Zion when he realizes Neo and the Machines have allied against Agent Smith. That same faith, however, can also be somewhat of an Achilles' heel for Morpheus, as Niobe reveals it's what causes him to underestimate the looming threat of the Analyst in the years after "The Matrix Revolutions." While "The Matrix Resurrections" suggests Morpheus is a casualty of the machines, Neo creates a youthful, A.I. version of his mentor (played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) that also has some of Agent Smith's character traits mixed in.
The great thing about a Morpheus spin-off is that there's already a fair amount backstory to work from. Elements from his past mentioned in "The Matrix Comics" can be expanded upon, along with the origins of his relationship and falling out with Niobe and his time as High Chair of the Zion Council. Similarly, the origins of Abdul-Mateen's Morpheus replica could also be explored, although a spin-off starring that version of Morpheus set after "Resurrections" also has promise.
Niobe
Niobe is one of the undeniable standout characters of the "Matrix" sequels and one of the patron saints of "Matrix" spin-offs thanks to her star turn in the 2003 "Enter the Matrix" video game with Ghost. A fearless leader with a calm yet commanding presence — not to mention the ability to deliver some great one-liners with a straight face, thanks to the nuanced performance of her actor, Jada Pinkett Smith — Niobe remains by far one of the best contenders for a Matrix spin-off movie, film, or game.
Being the only character from the original resistance against the Machines to appear in "The Matrix Resurrections" other than Trinity and Neo, Niobe has a wealth of story possibilities worth exploring. A spin-off starring the character could explore her early days in Zion or the original Matrix, or reveal in detail the events that occurred between "The Matrix Revolutions" and "The Matrix Resurrections." Notably, it could touch on the formation of IO, Zion's successor, and her instatement as its leader.
Ghost
True to his name, Ghost (played by Anthony Brandon Wong) doesn't appear as often as his captain, Niobe, in the second and third Matrix movies. But he gets an enormous amount of screen-time in "Enter the Matrix," where he and Niobe are the two playable characters. An avid student of philosophy with a wry sense of humor that balances his otherwise no-nonsense demeanor, Ghost would be a great candidate for more Matrix spin-offs, which could easily build on what's already established about him.
A prequel series to the original trilogy could show how Ghost ends up joining Niobe on the Logos and becomes such an expert shot, as well as the origins of his unrequited crush on Trinity. Conversely, a spin-off set after the first three films could reveal what happened to him in the more than 60-year gap before "Resurrections," including how he handles the news of Trinity's demise in "Revolutions" and whether he eventually falls in love with someone else or decides to continue on with single life. Maybe his heroism in "Revolutions" even earns him a ship of his own?
Smith
The Matrix's most notorious Agent, Smith proves you can't keep a bad program down in "Resurrections," where he's reincarnated in a new identity as Thomas Anderson's boss at the Deus Machina game developer company. Smith and Neo's mutual hatred of the Analyst leads the two to briefly join forces near the movie's end, where Smith lets his "boss" know exactly how he feels by filling him with bullets until the Analyst dissolves into digital code.
Once Smith has accomplished his objective — or at least made himself feel a little better, as his actions don't actually kill the Analyst — he leaves Neo and Trinity to be hunted down by the Analyst's bot legions. This begs the question: Where did he go? A Smith series could answer that question, showing his activities after "Resurrections." Just what plot will he come up with next to fight the Architect and keep his freedom? Will he be a friend or a foe when Neo and Trinity decide to remake the Matrix, as they promise to do at the end of "Resurrections"?
While future "Matrix" movies would likely answer those questions, a spin-off could certainly delve further into the details. Another option is to explore Smith's activities in the previous version of the Matrix from the original trilogy, which could allow Hugo Weaving to return to the role. Or a Smith series could go back even further in time and reveal whether or not even earlier iterations of the Matrix included a version of Smith to balance out their versions of the One — a subject of much debate.
Bugs
Bugs is the captain of the Mnemosyne in "The Matrix Resurrections," as well as the person who frees Neo from the Matrix's latest reincarnation. Brave, good-humored, and not one for following orders when she feels they're wrong, Bugs would be a perfect candidate for a Matrix spin-off. Given how her Matrix extraction occurs not long before she does the same for Neo, it wouldn't be necessary to de-age the character digitally or through some other means for a prequel, provided it focuses on Bugs as a young adult. Be it a prequel or sequel, Jessica Henwick could easily slip back into the role, and "Resurrections" shows that Bugs is known to go on solo missions. That said, the spin-off could also spotlight her crewmates of the Mnemosyne to flesh them out further and more clearly establish how each of them relates with their captain.
The Oracle
Though purged from the Matrix some time before "Resurrections," the Oracle is far from forgotten. Morpheus tells Neo in "The Matrix" that the Oracle has sided with Zion since the human rebellion began, while the Architect reveals in "The Matrix Reloaded" that her existence extends back even further, as she helped him create the first successful version of the simulated reality. Given that there've been seven versions of the Matrix and the initial two failed, the Oracle might have been around as far back as the third Matrix, meaning she has a wealth of backstory ripe for exploration.
A prequel spin-off starring the Oracle could answer many long-standing mysteries, such as what the other Matrixes were like, when she first meets her bodyguard, Seraph, and when she first rebels against the Architect. It could also reveal Neo's predecessors, as each Matrix the Oracle co-created also contained its own version of the One. The character would likely be recast, as her original actor, Gloria Foster, passed away, while her second actor, Mary Alice, has not worked in entertainment media for some time. Should a younger actress play her in a prequel spin-off, it could answer whether or not it's normal for programs within Matrix to simulate aging, as Sati seems to.
Not that a sequel spin-off is out of the question, however. The Merovingian does say in "Revolutions" that the Oracle can give her eyes to others. Could she have passed them on to a successor?
Seraph
Seraph (Collin Chou) is a character who the movies have dropped multiple hints about. In "The Matrix Revolutions," he's referred to as "wingless" by one of the Merovingian's enforcers, with Merv himself later revealing the two have a past association. While it's unclear whether Seraph has ever had wings, these clues (not to mention his name and the fact that he always wears white) suggest he may have at one point been an "angel" within the Matrix. This theory is further supported when the Merovingian — who associates with "paranormal" programs like vampires and werewolves — calls him "the angel without his wings" in French. Seraph may even be a Seraphim, who are the "Agents" of the paradise Matrix.
Interestingly, Seraph almost starred in what became "The Matrix: Path of Neo" video game, as art and cinematic director Chandana Ekanayake told Polygon. Though that changed, it doesn't mean Seraph can't get another chance at a spin-off. In addition to examining his true nature and past with the Merovingian (who considers him a traitor), the spin-off could uncover why Seraph's absent from the first "Matrix" movie, despite the Oracle's claim that he's been her bodyguard for some time. It could also depict Seraph's battle(s) with Agent Smith — whom Seraph claims he has defeated in the past in "Revolutions" — or jump ahead in time and show his activities after the "Revolutions" finale. If Seraph really is a Seraphim, a prequel spin-off can even make him a villain at first.
The original Nebuchadnezzar crew
Switch, Mouse, Apoc, Tank, and Dozer, we hardly knew ye. Most of the Nebuchadnezzar crew seen in "The Matrix" are murdered thanks to one of their own, the traitorous Cypher, who is himself killed by Tank. Despite his survival, however, Tank does not appear in the sequels, as it's revealed he died at some point before "The Matrix Reloaded."
Of course, given how Trinity, Neo, and Morpheus are the only ones who live up to "Reloaded" and "Revolutions," a spin-off starring the first Nebuchadnezzar crew would have to be set in the past. That doesn't mean it can't happen, of course, especially since there are plenty of ways to convey those characters at their appropriate ages (animation, recasting, and recent technology like the Unreal 5 Engine). The spin-off could not only flesh out the characters and their relationships but also show when each is recruited onto Morpheus' ship and explore Cypher's growing dissatisfaction with the real world. Could he perhaps have a rivalry with the Logos' Ghost, as he also has a crush on Trinity at one point?
Cypher's actor, Joe Pantoliano, did try getting in touch with Lana Wachowski about appearing with "Matrix 4," meaning a prequel just might interest him, too. Sadly, Marcus Chong likely wouldn't return as Tank, given his past disagreements with the Wachowskis.
The Merovingian and Persephone
The power couple of the Matrix underworld, the Merovingian and Persephone usually engage in all sorts of activities that go against the rules of their virtual universe, including protecting programs scheduled for deletion in exchange for their compliance in crimes. While both were originally portrayed as simultaneously luxurious and decadent, the Merovingian is shown to have drastically changed by "The Matrix Resurrections," having become a much more haggard and unkempt program after Neo defeats Smith. Persephone's status quo and whereabouts, however, are not revealed.
Since the Merovingian has met a number of versions of the One (including, of course, Neo), a solo spin-off or one focusing on both himself and Persephone could show those encounters. It could also answer whether he's one of Neo's predecessors himself, which is what some believe Persephone meant when she told Neo, "He was like you." The Merovingian and Persephone's origins and first meeting could also be depicted, as could the souring of their relationship. Alternately, the spin-off could be set after "Revolutions" and reveal both what happens to Persephone and why the Merovingian changes so drastically. A Persephone solo spin-off would also be intriguing, as it could answer why she's absent from "Resurrections" and what she's been up to since her last appearance.
Kid
Neo is always shown to be uncomfortable with the hero worship he receives from many of Zion's inhabitants, which is one of the reasons he finds Kid particularly difficult to be around. Since meeting Neo the day he freed himself (a rare feat) from the Matrix, Kid has idolized humanity's prophesied savior and clearly states his intention to one day serve alongside the One aboard the Nebuchadnezzar — a prospect nobody on the ship is too thrilled about. Still, Kid proves to be pretty remarkable person himself in Zion's battle against the Machines in "The Matrix Revolutions," where he helps Captain Mifune reload while fighting off Sentinels, And after a timely save from Zee, he gives the Hammer the opening it needs to reenter Zion.
Kid appears in "The Matrix Online" afterward, helming a ship fittingly called "Neo's Hope." Oddly, he's not present in "Resurrections," despite being significantly younger than most of the major characters in the first three movies. It's possible he is one of the many casualties from the Machines' renewed war on Zion, and a spin-off could reveal if that's the case and show him further coming into his own as a hero after "Revolutions."
Commander Lock
Jason Lock (Harry Lennix) is introduced in "The Matrix Reloaded" as Morpheus' opposite. He's a hardened pragmatist who neither believes in the One nor has any love lost for Morpheus, who once dated his lover, Niobe. Though arguably an effective tactician and leader of Zion's forces in the real world, Lock's disdain for Morpheus and his beliefs often cloud his judgment, causing him to repeatedly underestimate Neo's importance until the Machines' takeover of Zion seems all but a certainty.
Though he becomes an important figure in "The Matrix Online," Lock is not seen in "The Matrix Resurrections," suggesting his relationship with Niobe at one point ended for any number of reasons — perhaps even his demise. A spin-off starring him (or one in which he co-stars with Niobe) could shed some light on his fate and reveal whether or not his contentious relationship with Morpheus improves after Neo saves Zion. It'd also be an opportunity to humanize Lock and make him more sympathetic, as he is somewhat of an antagonistic figure in the original "Matrix" trilogy, though far from an outright villain. Lennix has expressed interest in returning to the role, making a Lock spin-off something that's just waiting to happen.
The Architect and the Analyst
Who better to tell the full story of the Matrix than the two programs who've seen them all? The Architect alone created six versions of the Matrix, aided by the Oracle in the later versions, and a spin-off starring him or both characters could show all Matrix versions and depict how they changed over time. Though the Architect himself is not an action hero, he could be seen dispatching the Seraphim and Agents on missions, as well as interacting with the Ones that existed before Neo. It could also raise the question of whether the Architect himself changed with each new Matrix iteration. In the original paradise version, for example, could he have looked or dressed like artistic depictions of the Judeo-Christian God? Similarly, could the Oracle's attire have resembled that of oracles of classical antiquity, like the ones of Ancient Greece?
The Analyst, meanwhile, has only created the seventh Matrix, but that doesn't mean he's not worthy of a spin-off that could answer even more questions. For example, how did he overthrow the Architect? In addition, the film could elaborate on events referenced in "The Matrix Resurrections," such as his purging of programs like the Oracle, Rama Kandra, and Kamala.