The Matrix premiered 20 years ago today. The film’s action sequences and special effects made the film a must-see and set it apart from the rest of the films at the box office in 1999.
The Matrix made $21 million during its opening weekend in the United States and grossed $463 million worldwide, according to IMBd. Learn what the film’s cast are doing now and how much money they have in the bank ahead.
Keanu Reeves
Actor Keanu Reeves played the main character in The Matrix, Neo. Reeves received $10 million for the first film and 10% of the overall gross revenue. He got an even bigger payday when The Matrix became a trilogy. He made $15 million and 15% of the overall gross revenue for the second and third films. Reeves has a net worth of approximately $350 million.
Reeves, born in Beirut, Lebanon, in 1964, spent the majority of his childhood living in Hawaii. He gained notoriety when he appeared in Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure and again in 1994 when he starred opposite Sandra Bullock in the 1994 film Speed.
Reeves revealed how he landed the role of Neo during a Reddit Ask Me Anything (AMA) in 2015, according to Cinema Blend.
“I got a call from my agent, saying that these directors, the Wachowskis, wanted to meet, and they sent me the script, and the script was absolutely amazing, and I went in to meet with them, and they showed me some artwork, of their vision, and an early version of “bullet time,” and it was very exciting and inspiring,” Reeves said.
He then explained what happened during his meeting with the Wachowski brothers, who directed The Matrix.
“We ended up hanging out in a parking lot outside the offices just talking and riffing, and we basically just kinda shook hands – they told me they wanted me to train for 4 months prior to filming, and I got a big grin on my face and said: “Yes.” That’s how it happened.”
Laurence Fishburne
Actor Laurence Fishburne, a Georgia native, played Morpheus in The Matrix.
Today, Fishburne’s estimated net worth is $20 million. He started acting in 1968 when he appeared in One Life to Live.
He made a name for himself on television, appearing in The Six O’Clock Follies, Trapper John, M.D., and Hill Street Blues, and, of course, in movies.
Aside from his role in The Matrix, Fishburne starred in Boyz n the Hood, Deep Cover, What’s Love Got to Do with It. Most recently, he starred in the superhero film, Ant-Man
Hugo Weaving
Hugo Weaving played Agent Smith in The Matrix. Since appearing in the film in 1999, he’s starred in a number of other successful films including the Lord of the Rings franchise, V for Vendetta, Happy Feet, Transformers: Dark of the Moon, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies.
Weaving, born in Nigeria, in 1960, spent his childhood traveling between Great Britain, Nigeria, and Australia, according to IMDb. Although Weaving’s film work has been his most financially successful, he prefers working in theater.
Reports on Weaving’s net worth vary. They range from $30 million to $40 million.
Carrie-Anne Moss
Canadian-born actress Carrie-Anne Moss played the role of Trinity in The Matrix. Immediately following The Matrix, she starred in director Christopher Nolan’s first film, Memento. Her role in the film earned her a Spirit Award for Best Supporting Female.
Moss has worked steadily for decades, appearing in the Steven Spielberg produced film Disturbia, as Shia LaBeouf’s mother, as well as other roles. She also starred in the TV series, Chuck, as well as Jessica Jones. Since the cancelation of Jessica Jones, Moss landed a role on the crime TV series, Wisting.
Moss has an estimated net worth of $3 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth and The Richest.
