Check out the details Yahya Abdul-Mateen II shared about his projects, including an interesting encounter with Keanu Reeves on the set of the Matrix sequel.
Matrix 4
First up is the latest entry to the cyberpunk action franchise, Matrix 4. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II was cast in 2019 and the film wrapped production in late 2020. Although details of the plot are still unclear, speculation is that the actor will play a young Morpheus (previously played by Lawrence Fishburne in the first trilogy of Matrix films).
— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) August 11, 2021 In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the actor expressed his surreal experience by acting with Keanu Reeves as Neo on the set of the Matrix 4: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II appears to have been star struck by the screen presence that Keanu Reeves exudes. He continued by giving some idea about the technology being used for the Matrix sequel and how it reflects the current situation in the world. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II praised the application of these new technologies by director Lana Wachowski: With the first Matrix films being revolutionary for their use of computer generated images for creating modern cinematic action sequences, these comments from the actor certainly look promising. Regardless, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II obviously had an enjoyable experience working on the upcoming sci-fi film. Matrix 4 will be released in theaters and the HBO Max streaming service on the same day this December 22, 2021.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
The DC Entertainment/Warner Bros. superhero flick Aquaman is probably the film that put Yahya Abdul-Mateen II on the map in terms of Hollywood legitimacy. The James Wan-directed DC Extended Universe movie garnered massive critical and commercial acclaim, earning more than $1 billion in the box office (the only DCEU film to reach the billion dollar club to date). As classic super-villain Black Manta, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II added a much needed gravitas to a previously one-note character. The character was formerly a one-dimensional antagonist, but Aquaman expanded that to give a greater motivation and connection with the titular hero. However, there had been criticisms that Black Manta’s screen time was too short in the first DCEU Aquaman film, though his interactions with star Jason Momoa was praised. That oversight will appear to be corrected in the sequel Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II himself expressed how the sequel will be superior to the first: Filming of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is still ongoing until November 2021, with a projected theatrical release on December 16, 2022.
Candyman
Another film Yahya Abdul-Mateen II will be appearing in soon is the horror film Candyman. This is actually the second horror film that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has worked with Jordan Peele in. He was also one of the stars in the surprise hit 2019 movie Us.
— Yahya Abdul-Mateen 2 (@yahya) July 29, 2021 The actor will be playing the main protagonist, Anthony McCoy, an artist inspired by the Candyman legend. Regarding his role and interest in the Candyman film, the actor had this to say: Candyman has become a cult-classic horror franchise since the first film from 1992 which starred Tony Todd in the role of the supernatural killer who appears if you say his name multiple times in front of a mirror. According to the official synopsis of the upcoming MGM Studios/Universal Pictures movie: Candyman had wrapped filming since 2019, but the release had been delayed multiple times due to the COVID-19 pandemic. From an initial theatrical release of June 12, 2020, Candyman eventually received a release schedule for August 27, 2021.
