Laurence Fishburne Says He Played a Key Role in Creating His Iconic “Matrix” Look — Including Those Frameless Glasses

Laurence Fishburne is sharing really he helped style his iconic look successful nan Matrix movies.

The 64-year-old character famously portrays rebel leader Morpheus, skipper of the Nebuchadnezzar, successful nan deed sci-fi action movie franchise. During a sheet chat astatine New York Comic Con (NYCC) connected Oct. 12, Fishburne — who was joined by costar Joe Pantoliano (Cypher) — discussed nan process of bringing Morpheus to life on-screen pinch very intentional wardrobe choices.

"Kym Barrett did an unthinkable job," he said, referring to nan movies' costume designer. "I mean, each nan silhouettes she had, you know, they had designed, and they're gorgeous."

A standout facet of Morpheus' sleek look — which includes achromatic duster coats — is his futuristic-looking rimless and temple-less sunglasses pinch a reflector finish. Fishburne revealed really he had a manus successful nan precise specifications of those sunglasses.

"In nan storyboards, Morpheus' mask, I telephone it, nan glasses were on. And nan feline who was making them handed maine nan glasses, and they had stems connected them. And I went, 'Those aren't nan glasses.' He's like, 'What do you mean?' I was like, 'Look astatine nan storyboard. There's nary stems connected those glasses,' " nan prima recalled.

"And he's like, 'Oh, really are we going to support 'em connected your face?' I was like, 'It's not my problem, son, ' " he continued, earning laughs from nan audience. "That's why they look for illustration that."

The extremity creation featured clips connected nan chemoreceptor pads to support nan glasses successful place.

Laurence said he kept an original brace of nan glasses and gave different to a young boy pinch cancer. "[He] was astir 11 years aged measurement backmost then, and he wanted to beryllium me. It was a Make-A-Wish thing," he explained.

During nan NYCC panel, Pantoliano, 74, besides said astir his characteristic Cypher's look, including his signature goatee.

"Yeah, they really wanted [the goatee]," he said, earlier jokingly sharing, "But I forgot and I shaved it disconnected and erstwhile I showed up. they said, "Where’s your [goatee]?' So we started retired pinch nan teeth, you know, and past we fto it turn out."

The original Matrix movie was released successful 1999, followed by 3 sequels: The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003) and The Matrix Resurrections (2021).

Never miss a communicative — motion up for PEOPLE's free regular newsletter to enactment up-to-date connected nan champion of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from personage news to compelling quality liking stories.

Fishburne antecedently said to Variety astir not being "invited" backmost for nan 4th installment — and really he didn't consciousness for illustration he missed retired by not appearing successful Resurrections.

"But I thought Carrie-Anne and Keanu really did their thing," nan character said, praising returning stars Keanu Reeves, 61, and Carrie-Anne Moss, 58.

As for his return connected nan 4th film, Fishburne said, "It wasn't arsenic bad arsenic I thought it would be. And it wasn't arsenic bully arsenic I hoped it would be."

The Contagion prima antecedently told New York Magazine in 2020 that Morpheus is his astir well-known capacity complete his agelong career. "It is astir apt nan domiciled that I'll beryllium champion remembered for, which is great," he said astatine nan time.