Honestly, it’s hard to imagine a world where Laurence Fishburne isn’t the coolest guy in the room. Whether he’s offering red pills or chasing John Wick through a subway station, he has this weight to him. This gravitas. But if you’ve been looking for a Laurence Fishburne new movie to sink your teeth into lately, you might have noticed he’s moving away from the "mentor in a suit" trope. He’s getting weird again. He’s getting gritty.
While 2025 was a massive year for him with the release of the espionage thriller The Amateur alongside Rami Malek, 2026 is looking like the year where Fishburne pivots toward the director's chair and more psychological, "far-out" sci-fi.
He isn't just acting anymore. He's building worlds.
The Amateur: The Spy Game Just Got Real
If you missed the theatrical run of The Amateur, you’ve probably seen it popping up on your streaming dashboard lately. Released in April 2025, this wasn’t your typical "James Bond" explosion-fest. It was a cold, calculated look at CIA bureaucracy. Fishburne plays a high-ranking official who has to deal with a grieving, introverted cryptographer (played by Rami Malek) who decides to go rogue to avenge his wife.
What makes Fishburne so good here? He’s basically the wall that Malek’s character keeps hitting. It’s a masterclass in "stillness." He doesn't need to shout to be terrifying.
The Amateur was a solid hit, pulling in about $96 million at the box office, which is a big win for a mid-budget adult thriller these days. It proved that audiences still want to see Fishburne in these "power player" roles, even if he’s not the one holding the gun.
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Stepping Into the Director's Chair: The Rule of Nines
This is the big news that most people are sleeping on. In late 2025, it was confirmed that Fishburne is returning to directing for a project called The Rule of Nines.
It’s been over 25 years since he made his directorial debut with Once in the Life (2000). Why the long wait? Kinda seems like he was just waiting for the right story. This new project features André Holland and is written by John Connor.
Fishburne recently mentioned to Variety that his decades on set—starting when he was just a kid in Apocalypse Now—have basically been one long film school. He’s ready to be a "filmmaker" in a consistent way now. Expect The Rule of Nines to be a major talking point as we head deeper into 2026.
Sci-Fi and Horror: The Astronaut and Slingshot
Fishburne has always had a soft spot for the stars. Or maybe it’s the vacuum of space that suits his voice? Either way, he’s been doubling down on the "Space Thriller" genre.
The Astronaut (2025)
Released late last year, this was a sci-fi horror flick starring Kate Mara. Fishburne plays General William Harris. It’s a tense, claustrophobic movie about an astronaut who returns to Earth only to realize she might not have come back alone.
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- The Vibe: High-stakes government cover-up.
- Fishburne’s Role: The guy who knows more than he's letting on (classic).
- The Twist: It gets surprisingly "alien-biological" toward the end.
Slingshot (2024/2025)
If you haven't caught Slingshot yet, you're missing out on some of his most unhinged work in years. He stars with Casey Affleck on a mission to Saturn’s moon, Titan. It’s a psychological "is-this-real-or-am-I-crazy" movie. Fishburne plays the captain who has to keep everyone sane while the ship—and their minds—start falling apart.
Honestly, seeing him play someone who isn't totally in control for once is a refreshing change of pace.
Why We’re Still Obsessed With Him
It’s the voice. Let’s be real.
That deep, melodic baritone can make a grocery list sound like a prophecy. But beyond that, Fishburne has this uncanny ability to stay relevant across generations. He’s doing voice work for Transformers One as Alpha Trion, he’s in the John Wick universe, and he’s still doing prestige dramas.
He doesn't "phone it in." Even in a smaller sci-fi horror movie like The Astronaut, he brings a level of professionalism that elevates the whole production.
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What’s Next for Fishburne Fans?
If you want to keep up with the Laurence Fishburne new movie cycle, you need to look at his production company, Cinema Gypsy Productions. He’s producing a lot more than he used to, including the upcoming animated film Sneaks.
Your 2026 Watchlist:
- Check for The Amateur on Hulu/Disney+: It’s the best way to see him in "Peak Boss" mode.
- Keep an eye on The Rule of Nines production updates: This will be his "Director's Statement" for the modern era.
- Watch Slingshot on VOD: It’s a hidden gem that didn't get enough love in theaters.
Fishburne isn't slowing down. He’s just changing the game. Whether he’s directing André Holland or playing a general fighting off aliens, he’s still the most commanding presence on the screen.
Keep an eye on the 2026 festival circuit. There’s a good chance The Rule of Nines makes a big splash at the fall festivals like TIFF or Telluride. If you’re a fan of his earlier, grittier work, this directorial turn is exactly what you’ve been waiting for.
Actionable Next Steps
- Watch The Amateur on Disney+ to see his most recent major theatrical performance.
- Search for The Rule of Nines casting news to see who else joins André Holland in Fishburne's directorial comeback.
- Follow Cinema Gypsy Productions on social media to get first-look updates on his indie projects and voice acting roles.