After playing such an integral role inThe Matrix , Tank ( Marcus Chong ) did n’t appear in either of the sequels , The Matrix ReloadedorThe Matrix Revolutions , with many viewers wondering why . As the operator of the Nebuchadnezzar , Tank plays a pretty crucial function on the squad in the first moving-picture show , make his disappearance surprising . That ’s peculiarly true due to the fact tankful was one of the few Nebuchadnezzar work party members to even hold out Cypher ’s betrayal of his fellow . In 2003’sThe Matrix ReloadedandRevolutions , Tank is instead replaced by his brother - in - law , Link ( Harold Perrineau Jr ) .

It ’s explain in - universe that Tank died sometimeafter the firstMatrixmovie , though no cause is give . It ’s a simple explanation hiding a complicated behind - the - scenes tarradiddle . The actual reason Tank did n’t come back for the true quite divisiveMatrixsequels was a dispute between actor Marcus Chong and the producer . say fight got incredibly het , leading to legal struggle , and Chong making shameful allegations against his former co-worker and political boss . Needless to say , Chong ’s career has never in truth recovered .

What Happened To Tank In The Matrix

Tank Died Between The First And Second Matrix Movies

Tank , alongside his brother Dozer , served as a close member of the Nebuchadnezzar ship ’s gang inThe Matrix , work under the command of Morpheus . As the ship ’s Operator , Tank had a quite a little of responsibleness , such as watching over the ship , while those jacked into the matrix traverse within the digital humanity , and also get sure his compatriots head into the simulate reality with the right weapon and knowledge .

The Matrix resurrection ended on a somewhat ambiguous bill , which start the room access for the franchise to uphold in the recently announced Matrix 5 .

Tank was badly injure with a lightning rifle byCypher when the latter wander humanityas part of a deal with the agents to get inserted back into the ground substance living a spirit of sumptuosity . While Tank survived and kill Cypher , Dozer was n’t so lucky , dying of his own rifle shoot . cooler then purportedly died sometime betweenThe MatrixandThe Matrix Reloaded , though it was n’t revealed if this was due to his trauma from the first film or from some other , unrelated cause .

A composite image of Keanu Reeves as Neo looking on and walking on a rainy street in The Matrix Revolutions

Why Tank Didn’t Return For The Matrix Reloaded

Marcus Chong Committed A Notorious Level Of Self-Sabotage With A YouTube Documentary

While Tank perish in the canonThe Matrixtimeline , there was a behind - the - fit reason for this originative decision . In 2003 , Chong filed a lawsuit against Warner Bros / AOL Time Warner , claim that there was a verbal agreement from 1998 and a contract signed in 2000 that assure him a office in the sequel moving picture . Warner offered him $ 400,000 forThe Matrix ReloadedandThe Matrix Revolutions , and he wanted to get $ 1 million , and Chong would n’t budge ( viaentertainment.ie ) .

The lawsuit included call of aspersion , state that the producers tried to paint him as a terrorist . In October 2000 , Chong was arrested for making threatening earphone calls to Warner Bros andwriter - directors the Wachowskisover his being written out of the picture show . He even go as far as exact he was being blackballed in the diligence by the manufacturer . Chong has n’t been in many picture show sinceThe Matrix — which may suggest that he is hard to work with .

Considering all that , it ’s no wonder Tank did n’t come back forThe Matrixsequels .

Ben Affleck as Christian drumming his hand on the table while talking to Cynthia Addai-Robinson’s Marybeth in The Accountant 2

The best evidence of this amount from Chong himself , in a short documentary he made calledThe Marcus Chong Story(viaYouTube ) . The 45 - minute piece includes several more freaky claim that are n’t indorse up by anyone else who worked onThe Matrix . One is thatleading humanity Keanu Reevesstole money from animators , the stunt team , and other actors inThe Matrix , and that Warner try out to drive him to sign a fake Screen Actor ’s Guild contract so that the join rule could n’t avail him .

The docudrama also let lilliputian and vindictive about everyone else demand inThe Matrix . The low-down point is a slideshow of headlines about other people in the moving picture , such as Joel Silver getting recoil out of Warner Bros , the end of throw up director Mali Finn , Laurence Fishburne ’s daughter getting turn back , and headlines aboutLana and Lilly Wachowskitransitioning , followed by pictures of Chong laughing and seemingly roast their life selection . Considering all that , it ’s no curiosity Tank did n’t return forThe Matrixsequels .

The Matrix Resurrections Would’ve Been A Good Way To Bring Tank Back In

Tank Could Have Been Worked Into The Matrix 4

While the animosity between Marcus Chong and the originative squad ofThe Matrixcertainly run thick , several decades had passed since the initial case , with almost five yr go since he made his infamous YouTube documentary . The Matrixfranchise returned in 2021 withThe Matrix : resurrection , which Chong also did n’t return for , though it would have been a good chance to bring Tank back .

Tank ’s legacy inThe Matrixfranchise ended when he was unceremoniously killed off - screen thanks to the conduct of the actor portraying him .

Several fiber from the originalThe Matrixtrilogy deliver with new actors , such as Jonathan Groff replacing Hugo Weaving as Smith , and Yahya Abdul Mateen II as the Modern Morpheus . Sincethe next hertz ofThe Matrixas presented inResurrectionstook human eccentric known by Neo and Trinity and made them into programs , managing director Lana Wachowski could have given Tank a revival too , one that separate The Operator from Marcus Chong .

Sidious, Tyranus, Maul, and Vader.

lamentably , she chose not to , and so Tank ’s legacy inThe Matrixfranchise ended when he was unceremoniously kill off - screen thanks to the conduct of the actor portraying him .

What Marcus Chong Has Done Since The Matrix

As mentioned , Marcus Ching ’s Hollywood vocation seemed to be negatively affected by the disceptation of his not return forThe Matrixsequels . Actors not being call for to return to popular enfranchisement is not unheard of as it happened with Terrence Howard inIron ManandMegan Fox inTransformers . However , while those two actors kept work , Chong ’s public attacks on those he work with , the unfounded accusation , and the meanspirited vilification directed at his former colleague seem to have earned him a poor reputation in the business .

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Cast

The Matrix , directed by the Wachowskis , stars Keanu Reeves as Neo , a hacker who light upon that realism is a simulated construct controlled by intelligent machines . Laurence Fishburne and Carrie - Anne Moss Centennial State - star as Morpheus and Trinity , who help Neo navigate and ultimately challenge the stilted world . The picture show blends natural action , philosophy , and groundbreaking visual effects , establish itself as a polar launching in the skill fiction writing style .

Collage of Tank touching his ear and sitting in front of monitors in The Matrix

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Marcus Chong as Tank at his monitor in The Matrix

The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a hacker who discovers that reality is a simulated construct controlled by intelligent machines. Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss co-star as Morpheus and Trinity, who help Neo navigate and ultimately challenge the artificial world. The film blends action, philosophy, and groundbreaking visual effects, establishing itself as a pivotal entry in the science fiction genre.

Tank in Zion in the Matrix wearing grey woollen gloves and a grey sweater.

Marcus Chong looking scared in Burn Notice

The Matrix Poster

The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a hacker who discovers that reality is a simulated construct controlled by intelligent machines. Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss co-star as Morpheus and Trinity, who help Neo navigate and ultimately challenge the artificial world. The film blends action, philosophy, and groundbreaking visual effects, establishing itself as a pivotal entry in the science fiction genre.

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Headshot Of Laurence Fishburne

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The Matrix