The Surprise Cameo In Matrix Resurrections You Probably Missed

Contains spoilers for "The Matrix Resurrections"

There have only been a lucky few that have actually entered The Matrix and left a mark. Keanu Reeves obviously did an alright job as the poster boy for the human race and thorn in the side of Agent Smith, Neo. There's also Carrie-Anne Moss as Trinity, who made 'dodge this' cooler than it had any right to be. Incredibly though, in the new film, "The Matrix Resurrections," there's one colossal blockbuster star whose impact was pretty minimal over the course of the latest chapter of pill-picking heroes and wind-flapping trench coats. In fact, you'd be forgiven for barely even noticing that he was in the movie at all.

This special appearance (if you can even call it that) is a true cameo in the vein of Daniel Craig's appearance in "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" or Matt Damon's in "Deadpool 2." It's the kind of role that only the most eagle-eyed, immensely patient fan would be able to pick out. And what would that fan get for their troubles? Why, a bit of Venom, that's what.

According to Den of Geek, it was revealed that "Venom: Let There Be Carnage" star and part-time alien vessel Tom Hardy had a cameo in "The Matrix Resurrections." The casting choice was purely a matter of coincidence, as both Hardy's recent symbiote-focused sequel was running on a similar filming schedule that allowed him to cross paths with Moss and Reeves.

Jessica Henwick, who stars in the film, told the site, "We were filming in San Francisco at the same time as 'Venom 2,' and I met Tom Hardy." The encounter got Hardy into the Matrix and also put Henwick on double duty as an extra in a crowd scene as well, even though she has a more prominent role as Bugs in the movie. "Tom Hardy and I are running in the background of one of the scenes. And I'm so curious to see whether it made the cut."

Henwick has high hopes fans might slow things down to a bullet-time pace to spot her. "I can't wait to get a digital copy of the film, because I'm actually in the background in a bunch of scenes as me, Jess," she admitted. "So if someone zooms in, they'll be like, 'Wait. Is that Bugs in the background, in the mob, running?'" 

Be sure to keep them peeled for a host of Henwicks and a Hardy when you see "The Matrix Resurrections" in theaters and on HBO Max on December 22.