Laurence Fishburne is preparing to return to the directors chair with a new project titled The Rule of Nines, developed in collaboration with producer and casting director Bonnie Timmermann and actor Andr Holland. The screenplay is penned by John Connor.
Fishburne explains that his lifelong experience in filmmaking has equipped him for this next step, noting that he began working in film as a preteen. His first feature as a director was the 2000 drama Once in the Life, which he also wrote. Since then, he has declined multiple directing offers, saying the material rarely resonated with him until now.
He suggests that this new project could signal a more committed transition into directing, describing it as the moment he may fully embrace a long-term role behind the camera.
As for acting, Fishburne is set to reprise his role in the fifth and final season of The Witcher, expected to stream around Halloween next year. He also expresses interest in returning to comedy, drawing on his earlier comedic work despite being more frequently cast in serious roles.
During a recent appearance at the Marrakech Film Festival, Fishburne showcased a surprising comedic side, entertaining audiences with impressions of well-known figures including Marlon Brando, Robert De Niro, Abel Ferrara, John Wayne and even Tweety Bird. He credits his love of voice work to inspirations like Mel Blanc, Frank Gorshin and Robin Williams.
Fishburne emphasizes that the human voice has always been central to his craft, recalling how growing up in a diverse neighborhood encouraged his fascination with different accents and speech patterns. He says his appreciation for language continues to fuel his creative work.
