Editing Morgan Freeman (section)

==Career==
===1964–1988: Early work and rise to prominence===
Freeman worked as a dancer at the [[1964 World's Fair]] and was a member of the Opera Ring musical theater group in San Francisco.<ref name=":7">{{Cite book|last=Young, Jeff C.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/726695810|title=Amazing African-American actors|date=2013|publisher=Enslow Publishers, Inc|isbn=978-1-59845-135-1|location=New York|pages=57–61|oclc=726695810|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141307/https://www.worldcat.org/title/amazing-african-american-actors/oclc/726695810|url-status=live}}</ref> He acted in a touring company version of ''[[The Royal Hunt of the Sun]]'', and also appeared as an extra in [[Sidney Lumet]]'s 1965 drama film ''[[The Pawnbroker (film)|The Pawnbroker]]'' starring [[Rod Steiger]].<ref name=":7" /> Between acting and dancing jobs, Freeman realized that acting was where his heart lay. "After [''The Royal Hunt of the Sun''], my acting career just took off", he later recalled.<ref name=":7" /> Freeman made his [[Off-Broadway]] debut in 1967, opposite [[Viveca Lindfors]] in ''[[The Niggerlovers]]'', a show about the [[Freedom Riders]] during the [[American Civil Rights Movement]],<ref>[http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/morgan_freeman_biog/3 Morgan Freeman Biography] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070403125911/http://www.tiscali.co.uk/entertainment/film/biographies/morgan_freeman_biog/3 |date=April 3, 2007}}. tiscali.co.uk</ref> before debuting on [[Broadway theater|Broadway]] in 1968's all-black version of ''[[Hello, Dolly! (musical)|Hello, Dolly!]]'' that also starred [[Pearl Bailey]] and [[Cab Calloway]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/hello-dolly-1967-broadway-cast/ |title=HELLO, DOLLY! (1967 BROADWAY CAST) |publisher=Sony Music Entertainment |access-date=May 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180525062513/http://www.masterworksbroadway.com/music/hello-dolly-1967-broadway-cast/ |archive-date=May 25, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> In 1969, Freeman also performed on stage in ''The Dozens''.<ref name="Weber">{{Cite news|last=Weber|first=Bruce|date=April 20, 2008|title=Driving Mr. Freeman Back Onstage|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/theater/20webe.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141307/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/theater/20webe.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Beginning in 1971, Freeman starred in the [[PBS]] children's television show ''[[The Electric Company]]'', which gave him financial stability and recognition among American audiences.<ref name="actors" /> His work on the show was tiring, so he quit in 1975.<ref name=":6" /> Television producer [[Joan Ganz Cooney]] said that Freeman loathed appearing in ''The Electric Company'', saying "it was a very unhappy period in his life".<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vOAXUuT205s|title=Joan Ganz Cooney discusses the beginnings of "The Electric Company"- EMMYTVLEGENDS|date=October 21, 2011|work=YouTube|access-date=August 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927150516/http://www.sj30jet.com/news9-details.php|archive-date=September 27, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman later acknowledged that he does not think about the show, but he was grateful to have been a part of it.<ref name="street">{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JezWgZV7P6A|title=Morgan Freeman talks 'Street Smart', winning an Oscar and reveals that acting isn't hard|date=August 21, 2014|work=YouTube|access-date=August 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160316154102/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JezWgZV7P6A|archive-date=March 16, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> His first credited appearance in a feature film was in 1971's ''[[Who Says I Can't Ride a Rainbow!]]'', a family drama starring [[Jack Klugman]].<ref name="Weber"/> Also that year, Freeman performed in a theater production of ''[[Purlie]].''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morales|first=Tatiana|date=January 15, 2004|title=Morgan Freeman's 'Big Bounce'|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/morgan-freemans-big-bounce/|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=CBS News|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141307/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/morgan-freemans-big-bounce/|url-status=live}}</ref> After a short career break, he returned to work in 1978, appearing in two stage productions: 1978's ''The Mighty Gents'', winning a [[Drama Desk Award]] and a [[Clarence Derwent Award]] for his role as a [[wikt:wino|wino]],<ref>{{Cite news|last=Eder|first=Richard |author-link=Richard Eder |date=April 17, 1978|title=Stage: The Mighty Gents'|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/17/archives/new-jersey-pages-stage-the-mighty-gents-the-gang-grown-up.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180201101726/http://www.nytimes.com/1978/04/17/archives/new-jersey-pages-stage-the-mighty-gents-the-gang-grown-up.html|archive-date=February 1, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''White Pelicans.''<ref name=":5" /> Freeman continued to work in theater and a year later, appeared in the [[Shakespearean]] tragedies ''[[Coriolanus]]'', receiving the Obie Award in 1980 for the title role<ref name=":7" /> as well as ''[[Julius Caesar (play)|Julius Caesar]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pacino, Streep, Kline, Portman, Freeman, Goldblum, Sheen and More! Celebrating 50+ Years of Shakespeare in the Park|url=http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery/photo-special-pacino-streep-kline-portman-freeman-goldblum-sheen-and-more-c-6029/17|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20141029113635/http://www.playbill.com/multimedia/gallery/photo-special-pacino-streep-kline-portman-freeman-goldblum-sheen-and-more-c-6029/17#selection-703.1-703.131|archive-date=October 29, 2014|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=Playbill}}</ref>

In 1980, he had a small role as Walter in the drama ''[[Brubaker]]'', which starred [[Robert Redford]] as a prison warden.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Brubaker (1980)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brubaker|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=June 20, 1980 |language=en|access-date=July 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506162917/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/brubaker|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman next appeared in the television film, ''[[Attica (1980 film)|Attica]]'' (1980), which is about the [[Attica Prison riot|1971 Attica Prison riot]] and its aftermath.<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 22, 2018|title=Morgan Freeman|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/01/19/entertainment/gallery/morgan-freeman/index.html|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=CNN}}</ref> A year later he had a lead role in [[Peter Yates]]' ''[[Eyewitness (1981 film)|Eyewitness]]'' with co-stars [[William Hurt]] and [[Sigourney Weaver]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Canby|first=Vincent |author-link=Vincent Canby |date=February 27, 1981|title=William Hurt in 'Eyewitness'|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/27/movies/william-hurt-in-eyewitness.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150107075415/http://www.nytimes.com/1981/02/27/movies/william-hurt-in-eyewitness.html|archive-date=January 7, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> From 1982 to 1984, Freeman was a cast member of the soap opera ''[[Another World (TV series)|Another World]]'', playing architect Roy Bingham.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Fearn-Banks, Kathleen.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/435778789|title=The A to Z of African-American television|date=2009|publisher=Scarecrow Press|others=Fearn-Banks, Kathleen.|isbn=978-0-8108-6348-4|location=Lanham|pages=151|oclc=435778789}}</ref> After several small roles in dramas, he starred in ''[[Marie (1985 film)|Marie]]'' (1985), a film adaptation of ''Marie: A True Story'' by [[Peter Maas]]; he portrayed Charles Traughber.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Marie: A True Story movie review (1985) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/marie-a-true-story-1985|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028194304/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/marie-a-true-story-1985|archive-date=October 28, 2014|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=Roger Ebert|language=en}}</ref> He also appeared in the miniseries ''[[The Atlanta Child Murders (miniseries)|The Atlanta Child Murders]]''.<ref>{{Cite news|title=The Atlanta Child Murders (1985)|language=en-US|url=http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/123787/The-Atlanta-Child-Murders/overview|url-status=dead |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325023350/http://www.nytimes.com/movies/movie/123787/The-Atlanta-Child-Murders/overview|archive-date=March 25, 2016|department=Movies & TV Dept.|work=[[The New York Times]]|first=Hal |last=Erickson|author-link=Hal Erickson (author)|date=2016|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Freeman also had a small role in the drama ''[[That Was Then... This Is Now]]'', based on the [[That Was Then, This Is Now|novel of the same name]] by [[S. E. Hinton]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Blau|first=Robert|date=November 8, 1985|title='That was then. . .' A teen story for now|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-11-08-8503170089-story.html|access-date=July 30, 2020|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref> In the mid-1980s, he began accepting prominent supporting roles in feature films, earning him a reputation for depicting wise, fatherly characters.<ref name="actors" />

In addition to television films, in 1987, Freeman played a violent street hustler, a role that diverged from his previous roles, in ''[[Street Smart (film)|Street Smart]]'' co-starring [[Christopher Reeve]] and [[Kathy Baker]]. Freeman's performance was praised by film critics, including [[Roger Ebert]] who wrote: "Freeman has the flashier role, as a smart, very tough man who can be charming or intimidating-whatever's needed{{nbsp}}... Freeman creates such an unforgettable villain."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/street-smart-1987|title= Reviews: Street Smart|website= rogerebert.com|access-date= July 13, 2020|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200804031152/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/street-smart-1987|archive-date= August 4, 2020|url-status= live}}</ref> Freeman's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]].<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|title=The 60th Academy Awards {{!}} 1988|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1988|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|date=December 4, 2015 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200724211840/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1988|archive-date=July 24, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He later said that he considered ''Street Smart'' to be his [[breakthrough role]].<ref name="street" /> In his next film, he played Craig in the drama ''[[Clean and Sober]]'' with co-stars [[Michael Keaton]] and Kathy Baker. Although the film was not a box-office hit, it gained fair reviews; [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film 3{{frac|1|2}} out of 4 stars and called the performances "superb".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=August 10, 1998|title=Clean and Sober movie review & film summary (1988) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/clean-and-sober-1988|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708010227/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/clean-and-sober-1988|archive-date=July 8, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Roger Ebert|language=en}}</ref> Freeman also received Obie Awards for his roles as a preacher in the musical ''[[The Gospel at Colonus]]'', and as Hoke Colburn in the play ''[[Driving Miss Daisy (play)|Driving Miss Daisy]]'', respectively.<ref name=":7" />

=== 1989–1996: Hollywood breakthrough ===
[[File:Morgan Freeman bw (49491947271).jpg|thumb|left|180px|Freeman in 1998]]
Freeman had four film releases in 1989. In the first, he starred as Sergeant Major John Rawlins in ''[[Glory (1989 film)|Glory]]'', directed by [[Edward Zwick]], about the [[54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment]], the [[Union Army]]'s second [[African-American]] regiment in the [[American Civil War]]. Writing for ''[[The Washington Post]]'', [[Desson Thomson]] praised Freeman and co-star [[Denzel Washington]] for their "warming sense of fraternity".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Howe|first=Desson|date=January 12, 1990|title=Glory (R)|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/gloryrhowe_a0b24a.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914091100/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/gloryrhowe_a0b24a.htm|archive-date=September 14, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-access=subscription}}</ref> ''Glory'' was nominated for five Academy Awards and won three: Best Supporting Actor for Washington, [[Academy Award for Best Cinematography|Best Cinematography]], and [[Academy Award for Best Sound Mixing|Best Sound]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=The 62nd Academy Awards {{!}} 1990|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|date=October 5, 2014 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200411113423/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1990|archive-date=April 11, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Next, Freeman starred in the comedy-drama ''[[Driving Miss Daisy]]'', alongside [[Jessica Tandy]] and [[Dan Aykroyd]]. Based on [[Alfred Uhry]]'s [[Driving Miss Daisy (play)|play of the same name]] in which Freeman had appeared previously, he reprises his role of Hoke Colburn, chauffeur for a Jewish widow. The film was a commercial success and grossed US$145 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Driving Miss Daisy|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2790163969/weekend/|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803064522/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2790163969/weekend/|archive-date=August 3, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Film critics were mainly positive; Henry Sheehan from ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'' opined that Freeman and Tandy's performances complemented each other while retaining their "individual star-quality".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheehan|first=Henry|date=December 11, 1989|title='Driving Miss Daisy': THR's 1989 Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/driving-miss-daisy-review-1989-movie-1067241|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728235230/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/driving-miss-daisy-review-1989-movie-1067241|archive-date=July 28, 2020|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref> The film was nominated for nine Academy Awards (and received four, Best Picture being one of them), including [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Freeman.<ref name=":1" />

His third release was the biographical drama ''[[Lean on Me (film)|Lean on Me]]'', in which he portrays the principal of an under-performing and drug- and crime-ridden New Jersey high school. Jane Galbraith of ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' magazine thought Freeman's casting was "wonderful".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Galbraith|first=Jane|date=February 1, 1989|title=Lean on Me|url=https://variety.com/1989/film/reviews/lean-on-me-1200428084/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190509104952/https://variety.com/1989/film/reviews/lean-on-me-1200428084/|archive-date=May 9, 2019|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> Lastly in 1989, he starred in [[Walter Hill]]'s ''[[Johnny Handsome]]'', a crime drama in which he plays a New Orleans police officer.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|title=Johnny Handsome movie review & film summary (1989) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/johnny-handsome-1989|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141029210123/http://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/johnny-handsome-1989|archive-date=October 29, 2014|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=Roger Ebert|language=en}}</ref> In a 1990 interview, Freeman said that ''Glory'' was one of his favorite releases—"The Black legacy is as noble, is as heroic, is as filled with adventure and conquest and discovery as anybody else's. It's just that nobody knows it."<ref name=":6" /> In 1990, Freeman provided the voice of [[Frederick Douglass]] in ''[[The Civil War (TV series)|The Civil War]]'', a [[Television documentary|television]] [[miniseries]] about the American Civil War.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Lee-Wright, Peter.|url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/562170243|title=The documentary handbook|date=2010|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-0-203-86719-8|location=London|pages=185|oclc=562170243|access-date=August 1, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141719/https://www.worldcat.org/title/documentary-handbook/oclc/562170243|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year he starred in the critically panned ''[[The Bonfire of the Vanities (film)|The Bonfire of the Vanities]].'' According to the [[review aggregate]] site [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the film has an approval rating of 16% based on 51 reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|website=Rotten Tomatoes|title=The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)|date=August 10, 2010 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bonfire_of_the_vanities|language=en|access-date=July 25, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141724/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/bonfire_of_the_vanities|url-status=live}}</ref> In the summer of 1990, he played Petruchio, a role he had been thinking about for six years, in Shakespeare's ''[[The Taming of the Shrew]]'', which opened at [[Delacorte Theater|Delacorte theater]] in New York City. "[Petruchio] seems to have a lot of fun in life", he said.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Rothstein|first=Mervyn|date=June 19, 1990|title=Taking Shakespeare's Shrew To the Old West of the Late 1800's|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/19/theater/taking-shakespeare-s-shrew-to-the-old-west-of-the-late-1800-s.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 29, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141745/https://www.nytimes.com/1990/06/19/theater/taking-shakespeare-s-shrew-to-the-old-west-of-the-late-1800-s.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1991, Freeman had a supporting role in ''[[Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves]]'', an action-adventure starring [[Kevin Costner]]. The film was a commercial success,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1567393281/weekend/|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208193607/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1567393281/weekend/|archive-date=December 8, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> but garnered mixed reviews from critics; ''[[The New York Times]]''{{'}} [[Vincent Canby]] thought Freeman played Azeem with "wit and humor" despite the "muddled" plot.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Canby|first=Vincent |author-link=Vincent Canby |date=June 14, 1991|title=Review/Film; A Polite Robin Hood In a Legend Recast|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/14/movies/review-film-a-polite-robin-hood-in-a-legend-recast.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 25, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141722/https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/14/movies/review-film-a-polite-robin-hood-in-a-legend-recast.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Morgan Freeman (255277982) (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|right|Freeman at the [[62nd Academy Awards]] in 1990]]
Freeman also narrated ''The True Story of Glory Continues'', a documentary about the 54th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment.<ref>{{Cite news|date=June 21, 1991|title=Videos glorious news for civil war buffs|work=Arizona Republic}}</ref> In 1992, he appeared in [[Clint Eastwood]]'s western ''[[Unforgiven]]'', which won four Academy Awards including [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 65th Academy Awards {{!}} 1993|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|date=October 4, 2014 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200416091028/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1993|archive-date=April 16, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The film depicts William Munny (Eastwood), an aging [[outlaw]] and killer who takes on one more job with old friend Ned Logan (Freeman). ''Unforgiven'' was widely acclaimed, with one critic calling Freeman's performance "outstanding".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Byrge|first=Duane|date=July 31, 1992|title='Unforgiven': THR's 1992 Review|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/unforgiven-review-1992-movie-1026437|access-date=July 25, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141802/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/unforgiven-review-1992-movie-1026437|url-status=live}}</ref> 
Also in 1992 Freeman starred in the [[John G. Avildsen]] directed drama ''[[The Power of One (film)|The Power of One]]'' acting opposite [[Stephen Dorf]] and [[John Gielgud]] in a loose adaptation of [[Bryce Courtenay]]'s 1989 [[The Power of One (novel)|novel of the same name]], in which he plays boxing coach Geel Piet.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Maslin|first=Janet |author-link=Janet Maslin |date=March 27, 1992|title=Movie Review - The Power of One - Review/Film; A Youngster Against The Power of Apartheid |url=https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE2DB1E3DF934A15750C0A964958260 |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140325205904/https://www.nytimes.com/movie/review?res=9E0CE2DB1E3DF934A15750C0A964958260|archive-date=March 25, 2014|access-date=July 31, 2020|work=The New York Times}}</ref> In 1993, Freeman made his [[directorial debut]] with the drama ''[[Bopha!]]'', which tells the story of a black policeman ([[Danny Glover]]) during South Africa's [[apartheid]] era. ''Bopha!'' was well-received, in particular for Freeman's directing. [[Hal Hinson]] of ''[[The Washington Post]]'' wrote: "Freeman lays out the father-son dynamics with great skill and very little fuss. There's no hysteria in his approach; instead, he sticks to the facts, relying on his cast to provide the emotion. The result is a surprisingly powerful, insightful film."<ref>{{Cite news|last=Hinson|first=Hal|date=September 24, 1993|title=Bopha!|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/bophapg13hinson_a0a845.htm|access-date=July 26, 2020 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-access=subscription |archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141755/https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/style/longterm/movies/videos/bophapg13hinson_a0a845.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Kenneth Turan]] from ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' also complimented Freeman's direction but thought the film was "more predictable than powerful".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Turan|first=Kenneth|date=September 24, 1993|title=Movie Review : 'Bopha!': Familiar Setting, Familiar Story|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-24-ca-38392-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726095458/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-24-ca-38392-story.html|archive-date=July 26, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref>

In 1994, Freeman portrayed Red, the redeemed convict in [[Frank Darabont]]'s acclaimed drama ''[[The Shawshank Redemption]]'', with co-star [[Tim Robbins]]. It is based on the 1982 [[Stephen King]] novella ''[[Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption]]''. Freeman was cast at the suggestion of producer Liz Glotzer, despite the novella's character of a white Irishman.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine|last=Heidenry|first=Margaret|date=September 22, 2014|title=The Little-Known Story of How The Shawshank Redemption Became One of the Most Beloved Films of All Time|url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/09/shawshank-redemption-anniversary-story|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190226150020/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2014/09/shawshank-redemption-anniversary-story|archive-date=February 26, 2019|access-date=July 26, 2020|magazine=Vanity Fair|language=en-us}}</ref> Filming proved to be challenging, mainly because of Darabont's need for multiple takes. Freeman said, "The answer [I'd give him] was no{{nbsp}}... having to do something again and again for no discernible reason tends to be a bit debilitating to the energy."<ref name=":2" /> Nevertheless, his performance was described as "quietly impressive" and "moving" by ''The New York Times''.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Maslin|first=Janet |author-link=Janet Maslin |date=September 23, 1994|title=Film Review; Prison Tale by Stephen King Told Gently, Believe It or Not|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/movies/film-review-prison-tale-by-stephen-king-told-gently-believe-it-or-not.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|access-date=July 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726115941/https://www.nytimes.com/1994/09/23/movies/film-review-prison-tale-by-stephen-king-told-gently-believe-it-or-not.html|archive-date=July 26, 2020}}</ref> At the [[67th Academy Awards]] the film received [[Academy Award]] nominations for [[Academy Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] and a nomination for Freeman for [[Academy Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] losing to [[Tom Hanks]] in ''[[Forrest Gump]]'' (1994).<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|title=The 67th Academy Awards {{!}} 1995|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1995|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|date=October 5, 2014 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190510075255/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1995|archive-date=May 10, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Since its release, ''The Shawshank Redemption'' has remained popular among audiences.<ref name=":2" /> In 1994, Freeman served as a member of the jury at the [[44th Berlin International Film Festival]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Berlinale: 1994 Juries |url=http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1994/04_jury_1994/04_Jury_1994.html |access-date=June 9, 2011 |website=berlinale.de |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131015121809/http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1994/04_jury_1994/04_Jury_1994.html |archive-date=October 15, 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref>

''[[Outbreak (1995 film)|Outbreak]]'' (1995), a [[Medical fiction|medical]] thriller directed by [[Wolfgang Petersen]], was Freeman's next film. He played General Billy Ford, a doctor dealing with an outbreak of a fictional virus in a small town. The film stars [[Dustin Hoffman]], [[Rene Russo]], and [[Donald Sutherland]]. ''Outbreak'' was a box-office success, grossing $189.8 million worldwide,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Outbreak|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl392791553/weekend/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726105803/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl392791553/weekend/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> but gained a mixed critics' response.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Outbreak (1995)|date=August 27, 1997 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/outbreak|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200708055529/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/outbreak|archive-date=July 8, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Mick LaSalle|Mick LaSelle]] of the ''[[San Francisco Chronicle]]'' credited Freeman for his performance which may have been unappreciated by viewers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=LaSalle|first=Mick|date=March 10, 1995|title=Dustin Hoffman Thriller Nothing to Sneeze At|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Dustin-Hoffman-Thriller-Nothing-to-Sneeze-At-3041381.php|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=SFGate|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141722/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Dustin-Hoffman-Thriller-Nothing-to-Sneeze-At-3041381.php|url-status=live}}</ref> In 1995, Freeman starred with [[Brad Pitt]] in [[David Fincher]]'s crime thriller ''[[Seven (1995 film)|Seven]]'', the story of two detectives who attempt to identify a [[serial killer]] who bases his murders on the Christian [[seven deadly sins]]. Freeman's performance generated a positive response; Owen Gleiberman of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' wrote: "Freeman plays nearly every scene in a doleful hush; he makes you lean in to hear his words, to ferret out the hints of anger and regret that haunt this weary knight."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Gleiberman|first=Owen|date=September 29, 1995|title=Seven|url=https://ew.com/article/1995/09/29/seven-3/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726120851/https://ew.com/article/1995/09/29/seven-3/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|language=EN}}</ref> The critic from ''Variety'' magazine called Freeman's acting "supremely nuanced".<ref>{{Cite web|date=January 1, 1995|title=Se7en Review|url=http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=review&reviewid=VE1117794764&categoryid=31&cs=1|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090526110902/http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=review&reviewid=VE1117794764&categoryid=31&cs=1|archive-date=May 26, 2009|access-date=November 18, 2020|website=Variety}}</ref>

While filming ''Outbreak'', Freeman expressed an interest in starting a film production company. He turned to [[Lori McCreary|McCreary]], the producer of ''Bopha!'', to be his business partner. Freeman explained that he wanted to achieve [[African-American representation in Hollywood|representation]] on screen, explore challenging issues and reveal hidden truths, so they chose to name their firm [[Revelations Entertainment]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Longwell|first=Todd|date=December 7, 2017|title=Morgan Freeman's Biggest Revelation: He Could Shape His Own Destiny|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/features/morgan-freemans-biggest-revelation-he-could-shape-his-own-destiny-lori-mccreary-1202631663/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804111156/https://variety.com/2017/film/features/morgan-freemans-biggest-revelation-he-could-shape-his-own-destiny-lori-mccreary-1202631663/|archive-date=August 4, 2019|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> A year later, he appeared in ''[[Chain Reaction (1996 film)|Chain Reaction]]'' as Paul Shannon, a science-fiction thriller co-starring [[Keanu Reeves]] and [[Rachel Weisz]]. The film was a critical and commercial disappointment.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Chain Reaction (1996)|date=August 2, 1996 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1072457-chain_reaction|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727191644/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/1072457-chain_reaction|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Chain Reaction|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3595077121/weekend/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804171642/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3595077121/weekend/|archive-date=August 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Next, he was cast opposite [[Robin Wright]] in 1996's ''[[Moll Flanders (1996 film)|Moll Flanders]]'', a period drama based on the [[Moll Flanders|novel of the same name]]. The film received a mixed reception; Greg Evans from ''Variety'' magazine said Freeman gave a "sweet" performance,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Evans|first=Greg|date=May 24, 1996|title=Moll Flanders|url=https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/moll-flanders-1200445744/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726131759/https://variety.com/1996/film/reviews/moll-flanders-1200445744/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> while ''The New York Times'' critic thought he was miscast.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Holden|first=Stephen |author-link=Stephen Holden |date=June 14, 1996|title=Film Review;Complicated Life Redeemed by Love (Published 1996)|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/14/movies/film-review-complicated-life-redeemed-by-love.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=October 18, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141722/https://www.nytimes.com/1996/06/14/movies/film-review-complicated-life-redeemed-by-love.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===1997–2004: Critical success and established actor===
[[File:Morgan Freeman 1998.jpg|thumb|upright|left|Freeman in 1998]]
In 1997, Freeman narrated the Academy Award-winning documentary ''[[The Long Way Home (1997 film)|The Long Way Home]]'', about [[Jewish]] refugees' liberation after World War II and the establishment of Israel.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|last=Bettinger|first=Brendan|date=October 12, 2010|title=AFI to Present Morgan Freeman with the Life Achievement Award|url=https://collider.com/morgan-freeman-afi-life-achievement-award/|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=Collider|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141722/https://collider.com/morgan-freeman-afi-life-achievement-award/|url-status=live}}</ref> He also appeared in [[Steven Spielberg]]'s historical epic ''[[Amistad (film)|Amistad]]'' alongside [[Djimon Hounsou]], [[Anthony Hopkins]], and [[Matthew McConaughey]]. Based on the events in 1839 aboard the slave ship ''[[La Amistad]]'', the film was mostly well-received and earned four nominations at the Academy Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The 70th Academy Awards {{!}} 1998|url=https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1998|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Oscars.org {{!}} Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences|date=October 5, 2014 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190602003041/https://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1998|archive-date=June 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Amistad (1997)|date=December 10, 1997 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/amistad|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200730182335/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/amistad|archive-date=July 30, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The critic from ''[[Salon (website)|Salon]]'' magazine, however, thought the film lacked inspiration and Freeman's role was "utterly cryptic".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Taylor|first=Charles|date=December 12, 1997|title=Amistad|url=http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/1997/12/12amistad.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110314163717/http://www.salon.com/entertainment/movies/1997/12/12amistad.html|archive-date=March 14, 2011|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Salon}}</ref> In that same year, he was cast as psychologist Alex Cross in ''[[Kiss the Girls (1997 film)|Kiss the Girls]]'', a thriller based on [[James Patterson]]'s [[Kiss the Girls (novel)|1995 novel]] of the same name. In a mixed review, Peter Stack of ''San Francisco Chronicle'' thought Freeman and co-star [[Ashley Judd]] gave strong performances despite the lengthy plot.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stack|first=Peter|date=October 3, 1997|title=Film Review -- Freeman, Judd Save the 'Girls' / Creepy thriller about sexual sadist|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-REVIEW-Freeman-Judd-Save-the-Girls-2826218.php|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726131756/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/FILM-REVIEW-Freeman-Judd-Save-the-Girls-2826218.php|archive-date=July 26, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=SFGate}}</ref>

Freeman went on to star in ''[[Deep Impact (film)|Deep Impact]]'' (1998), a science-fiction disaster film in which he played President Tim Beck.<ref>{{Cite magazine|date=October 16, 2008|title=Morgan Freeman as President Tim Beck|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=https://entertainment.time.com/2008/10/17/top-10-movie-presidents/slide/morgan-freeman-as-president-tim-beck-1998/|url-status=live|access-date=July 31, 2020|issn=0040-781X|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221094101/http://entertainment.time.com/2008/10/17/top-10-movie-presidents/slide/morgan-freeman-as-president-tim-beck-1998/|archive-date=December 21, 2019}}</ref> The story depicts humanity's attempt to destroy a 7-mile (11&nbsp;km) wide [[comet]] set to collide with Earth and cause a mass extinction. The film was a box-office hit, despite competition from ''[[Armageddon (1998 film)|Armageddon]]'', another summer blockbuster of the year.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Deep Impact|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3444344321/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726131753/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3444344321/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Continuing with the disaster genre, he then starred opposite [[Christian Slater]] in 1998's ''[[Hard Rain (film)|Hard Rain]]'', centering on a heist and man-made treachery amidst a [[natural disaster]] in a small [[Indiana]] town. The film was unpopular with critics; [[Lawrence Van Gelder]] of ''The New York Times'' called the characters "one-dimensional" and the film "routine".<ref>{{Cite news|last=Van Gelder|first=Lawrence |author-link=Lawrence Van Gelder |date=January 16, 1998|title=Film Review; Outlook: Stormy (It's Raining, Too)|language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/movies/film-review-outlook-stormy-it-s-raining-too.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 26, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141725/https://www.nytimes.com/1998/01/16/movies/film-review-outlook-stormy-it-s-raining-too.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman returned to the screen in 2000 with the lead role of Charlie in the comedy ''[[Nurse Betty]]'', featuring [[Renée Zellweger]], [[Chris Rock]], and [[Greg Kinnear]]. The film premiered at the [[Cannes Film Festival]] to mainly positive reviews; the critic from ''Variety'' magazine thought Freeman and Rock had "wonderful chemistry".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Levy|first=Emanuel|date=May 12, 2000|title=Nurse Betty|url=https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/nurse-betty-1200462310/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180123190421/https://variety.com/2000/film/reviews/nurse-betty-1200462310/|archive-date=January 23, 2018|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> Next, he appeared in ''[[Under Suspicion (2000 film)|Under Suspicion]]'' (2000), a thriller remake of the 1981 French film ''[[Garde à vue]]''. The film had been "carting round" for twelve years before Freeman was able to produce it under Revelations Entertainment.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=January 11, 2001|title=BBC - Films - interview - Morgan Freeman|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/01/11/morgan_freeman_under_suspicion_090101_interview.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726162732/http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2001/01/11/morgan_freeman_under_suspicion_090101_interview.shtml|archive-date=July 26, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=BBC}}</ref> He co-starred with [[Gene Hackman]]; "Working with Gene was wonderful. I didn't find it too hard working with an icon I so respected", Freeman said.<ref name=":3" /> Upon release, ''Under Suspicion'' was met with lukewarm reception;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Under Suspicion|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/under-suspicion|work=Metacritic|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141744/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/under-suspicion|url-status=live}}</ref> [[CNN]]'s Paul Tatara praised the actors but thought the film was "too tawdry to be completely entertaining, and too static to generate much excitement".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Tatara|first=Paul|date=September 22, 2000|title=CNN - Entertainment - Compelling, but ... - September 22, 2000|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/22/review.under/index.html|access-date=July 26, 2020|work=CNN|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320141724/https://edition.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/Movies/09/22/review.under/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Morgan Freeman Cannes.jpg|thumb|upright|right|180px|Freeman at the [[2005 Cannes Film Festival]]]]
In 2001, Freeman reprised his role of Alex Cross in ''[[Along Came a Spider (film)|Along Came a Spider]]'', a sequel to 1997's ''Kiss the Girls''. The film received mixed-to-negative reviews.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Along Came a Spider (2001)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/along_came_a_spider|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=April 6, 2001 |language=en|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191228084235/https://rottentomatoes.com/m/along_came_a_spider|archive-date=December 28, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Susan Wloszczyna of ''[[USA Today]]'' observed that "Freeman strides with noble authority" but thought the overall film was unmemorable.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wloszczyna|first=Susan|date=June 4, 2001|title= 'Spider' crawls along without enough venom|url=https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/2001-04-06-along-came-a-spider.htm|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171130152753/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/enter/movies/2001-04-06-along-came-a-spider.htm|archive-date=November 30, 2017|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=USA Today}}</ref> In 2002, Freeman was cast opposite [[Ben Affleck]] in the spy thriller ''[[The Sum of All Fears (film)|The Sum of All Fears]]''. It is based on [[Tom Clancy]]'s 1991 [[The Sum of All Fears|novel]] of the same name, about a plot by an Austrian [[Neo-Nazi]] to trigger a [[nuclear war]] between the United States and Russia, so that he can establish a fascist superstate in Europe. ''The Sum of All Fears'' received moderate reviews,<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sum of All Fears (2002)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/sum_of_all_fears|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=May 31, 2002 |language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref> but was a commercial success, grossing $193.9 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sum of All Fears|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2675082753/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726182441/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2675082753/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Next, Freeman starred alongside Ashley Judd and [[Jim Caviezel]] in ''[[High Crimes]]'' (2002), a legal thriller based on [[Joseph Finder]]'s 1998 novel of the same name. The story follows lawyer Claire (Judd), whose husband (Caviezel) is arrested and placed on trial for the murder of villagers while he was in the [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]]. Although several critics were unimpressed with the story, they credited Freeman and Judd for their chemistry and performances.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Neil|date=October 21, 2002|title=BBC - Films - review - High Crimes|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2002/10/07/high_crimes_2002_review.shtml|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=BBC}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Sullivan|first=Michael|date=April 4, 2002|title='High Crimes': A Guilty Pleasure |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-access=subscription |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2002/04/05/AR2005033116046.html|access-date=July 26, 2020|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In 2003, Freeman appeared as God in the hit comedy ''[[Bruce Almighty]]'' with [[Jim Carrey]] and [[Jennifer Aniston]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hughes|first=Scott|date=June 20, 2003|title=God - The Hollywood years|url=http://www.theguardian.com/culture/2003/jun/20/artsfeatures|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

Next, he starred in the science fiction horror ''[[Dreamcatcher (2003 film)|Dreamcatcher]]'', adapted from [[Stephen King]]'s 2001 [[Dreamcatcher (novel)|novel]] of the same name. The film was a box-office flop,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dreamcatcher|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0285531/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> and garnered mostly negative reviews; ''Dreamcatcher'' has an approval rating of 28% on review aggregate site Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Dreamcatcher (2003)|date=March 21, 2003 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dreamcatcher|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en|access-date=July 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200104120010/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dreamcatcher|archive-date=January 4, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Also in 2003, Freeman starred in two other dramas that were not widely seen, ''[[Levity (film)|Levity]]'' and ''[[Guilty by Association (film)|Guilty by Association]].''<ref>{{Cite news |first=A. O. |last=Scott |author-link=A. O. Scott |title=Film in Review: Levity |work=[[The New York Times]] |department=Movies |date=2003-04-04 |page=E30 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/movies/film-in-review-levity.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=2024-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231212205040/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/04/movies/film-in-review-levity.html |archive-date=2023-12-12 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Patrizio|first=Andy|title=Guilty by Association - IGN|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2003/07/21/guilty-by-association|work=IGN|date=July 21, 2003 |publication-date=November 24, 2018|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref> His 2004 releases were comedy ''[[The Big Bounce (2004 film)|The Big Bounce]]'' and sports drama ''[[Million Dollar Baby]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Big Bounce (2004)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/big_bounce|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=January 29, 2004 |language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Million Dollar Baby (2004)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/million_dollar_baby|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=December 15, 2004 |language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020}}</ref> In the latter, directed by Clint Eastwood, Freeman portrayed an elderly former boxer. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, [[Academy Award for Best Director|Best Director]], [[Academy Award for Best Actress|Best Actress]] ([[Hilary Swank]]), and Best Supporting Actor, earning Freeman his first Academy Award.<ref name="actors" /> Freeman was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award in the same category.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Million Dollar Baby|url=https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/million-dollar-baby|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=www.goldenglobes.com|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726180818/https://www.goldenglobes.com/film/million-dollar-baby|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Roger Ebert complimented Freeman's "flat and factual" narration,<ref>{{Cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=December 14, 2004|title=Million Dollar Baby movie review (2005) {{!}} Roger Ebert|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/million-dollar-baby-2005|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725064529/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/million-dollar-baby-2005|archive-date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Roger Ebert|language=en}}</ref> and ''[[Time Out (magazine)|Timeout]]'' magazine thought the cast fully inhabited their roles.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Andrew|first=Geoff|date=June 24, 2006|title=Million Dollar Baby|url=https://www.timeout.com/en_gb/film/million-dollar-baby|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727061606/https://www.timeout.com/en_gb/film/million-dollar-baby|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Time Out Worldwide|language=en}}</ref>

===2005–2013: Documentaries and thriller films===
[[File:Morgan Freeman y Paz Vega en Madrid 01 crop.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Freeman in 2007]]
Freeman made six appearances in various films in 2005. In the drama ''[[An Unfinished Life]]'', Freeman plays Mitch, a neighbor of a Wyoming rancher (Robert Redford). The film had a mixed response; ''[[The Guardian]]'' critic thought it was amiable but questioned the purpose of Freeman's "sidekick" role.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Brooks|first=Xan|date=June 16, 2006|title=An Unfinished Life|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/jun/16/drama|access-date=July 26, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726180809/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2006/jun/16/drama|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman's authoritative voice led to his narration of two documentaries; Steven Spielberg's ''[[War of the Worlds (2005 film)|War of the Worlds]]'' and the Academy Award-winning ''[[March of the Penguins]]''.<ref name=":5" /> He also appeared in [[Christopher Nolan]]'s ''[[Batman Begins]]'', the first installment in what would become ''[[The Dark Knight Trilogy]]'', as the fictional [[Lucius Fox]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=Dargis|first=Manohla |author-link=Manohla Dargis |date=June 15, 2005|title=Dark Was the Young Knight Battling His Inner Demons|language=en-US|work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/movies/dark-was-the-young-knight-battling-his-inner-demons.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=July 31, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617083513/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/movies/dark-was-the-young-knight-battling-his-inner-demons.html|archive-date=June 17, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> After this, he co-starred with [[Jet Li]] in the action-thriller ''[[Unleashed (2005 film)|Unleashed]]'', playing Sam, a blind piano tuner who helps Li's character turn his life around. The film gained a mixed-to-positive reception; Peter Hartlaub of ''San Francisco Chronicle'' was confused with the genre and thought Freeman's character interrupted the narrative.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hartlaub|first=Peter|date=May 13, 2005|title=Jet Li takes a bold leap|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Jet-Li-takes-a-bold-leap-2671163.php|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=SFGate|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726180807/https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Jet-Li-takes-a-bold-leap-2671163.php|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman's next role was in the thriller ''[[Edison (film)|Edison]]'', which bombed at the box office.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Edison|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl206669313/|access-date=July 26, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726222248/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl206669313/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In his last release of 2005, he provided the voice of [[Neil Armstrong]] in the documentary ''[[Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D]].''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Esposito|first=Michael|date=September 23, 2005|title=IMAX beats NASA back to the moon|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-09-23-0509230381-story.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200613222504/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2005-09-23-0509230381-story.html|archive-date=June 13, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Chicago Tribune|language=en-US}}</ref>

Freeman starred in 2006's ''[[The Contract (2006 film)|The Contract]]'', as assassin Frank Carden opposite [[John Cusack]]. The film was released [[direct-to-video]], which critic John Cornelius suggests was unsurprising, considering the generic formula of the thriller.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Cornelius|first=John|date=July 24, 2007|title=The Contract|url=http://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29330/contract-the/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209225642/https://www.dvdtalk.com/reviews/29330/contract-the/|archive-date=December 9, 2017|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=DVD Talk|language=en}}</ref> Freeman next appeared in ''[[Lucky Number Slevin]]'' (2006), a crime thriller directed by [[Paul McGuigan (filmmaker)|Paul McGuigan]]. Starring a principal cast of [[Josh Hartnett]], [[Bruce Willis]], [[Lucy Liu]], [[Stanley Tucci]], and [[Ben Kingsley]], the film garnered mixed reception.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lucky Number Slevin (2006)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lucky_number_slevin|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=April 7, 2006 |language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=May 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190523204521/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lucky_number_slevin/|url-status=live}}</ref> David Mattin of [[BBC]] wrote: "Kingsley and Freeman shine individually, but their inevitable, climactic clash of heads lacks force. Like its leading man [Hartnett], this movie presents a charming façade with nothing much underneath."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mattin|first=David|date=February 23, 2006|title=BBC - Movies - review - Lucky Number Slevin|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/films/2006/02/17/lucky_number_slevin_2006_review.shtml|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=BBC}}</ref> Next, Freeman portrayed himself in the low-budget comedy ''[[10 Items or Less (film)|10 Items or Less]]'' opposite [[Paz Vega]]''.''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Scott|first=A. O. |author-link=A. O. Scott |date=December 1, 2006|title=Lingering on the Express Line: Bagging Some Humanity Amid Bar-Code Scanners (Published 2006)|language=en-US |work=[[The New York Times]] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/01/movies/01item.html |url-access=subscription |access-date=November 11, 2020|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142447/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/01/movies/01item.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Two weeks after its theatrical release, ''10 Items or Less'' was made available for download from [[ClickStar]], a film distribution company that Freeman co-founded that year.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 30, 2006|title=Morgan Freeman to release new film online two weeks after theater opening NEW YORK (AP) – Just two weeks after "10 Items or Less" opens in theaters Friday, it'll be available for digital download from Clickstar, a company that Morgan Freeman'|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2006/11/30/morgan-freeman-to-release-new-film-online-two-weeks-after-theater-opening-new-york-ap-just-two-weeks-after-10-items-or-less-opens-in-theaters-friday-itll-be-available-for-digital-downlo/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=The Mercury News|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727165517/https://www.mercurynews.com/2006/11/30/morgan-freeman-to-release-new-film-online-two-weeks-after-theater-opening-new-york-ap-just-two-weeks-after-10-items-or-less-opens-in-theaters-friday-itll-be-available-for-digital-downlo/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2007, Freeman reprised his role as God in ''[[Evan Almighty]]'', a sequel to 2003's ''Bruce Almighty'', with [[Steve Carell]]. ''Evan Almighty'' was a box-office failure<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evan Almighty|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0413099/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142450/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt0413099/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> and negatively received;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evan Almighty|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/evan-almighty|work=Metacritic|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142453/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/evan-almighty|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Guardian'' critic wrote: "A cast full of people who have been frequently funny elsewhere flounder in this deluge of sentimentality and [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]. Avoid like the [[Ten Plagues]]."<ref>{{Cite news|last=O'Neill|first=Phelim|date=August 2, 2007|title=Evan Almighty|language=en-GB|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/03/morganfreeman.stevecarrell|access-date=July 27, 2020|issn=0261-3077|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727211152/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/aug/03/morganfreeman.stevecarrell|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The drama ''[[Feast of Love]]'' was Freeman's second release of 2007. It is based on the 2000 novel ''The Feast of Love'' by [[Charles Baxter (author)|Charles Baxter]], about a group of friends living in suburban Oregon who come into contact with a free spirit who changes their outlook on life; [[Peter Bradshaw]] of ''The Guardian'' sarcastically remarked that it was great to see Freeman in a challenging role.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bradshaw|first=Peter|date=October 4, 2007|title=Feast of Love|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/05/morganfreeman.drama|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727211003/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2007/oct/05/morganfreeman.drama|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref> Freeman had a supporting part in ''[[Gone Baby Gone]]'' (2007), a mystery thriller that was also Ben Affleck's directorial debut. Adapted from the 1998 [[Gone, Baby, Gone|novel]] of the same name by [[Dennis Lehane]], Freeman plays Captain Jack Doyle of the [[Boston Police Department]]. The story and cast performances were positively received; ''Time Out'' magazine called it "flawed but impressive".<ref>{{Cite web|title=Gone Baby Gone|url=https://www.timeout.com/en_gb/film/gone-baby-gone|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Time Out Worldwide|date=June 3, 2008 |language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727145013/https://www.timeout.com/en_gb/film/gone-baby-gone|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Afterward, he starred in [[Rob Reiner]]'s 2007 comedy ''[[The Bucket List]]'' opposite [[Jack Nicholson]].<ref>{{Cite news|last=French|first=Philip|date=February 17, 2008|title=Review: The Bucket List|language=en-GB|work=The Observer|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/feb/17/jacknicholson.morganfreeman|access-date=July 31, 2020|issn=0029-7712|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142456/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2008/feb/17/jacknicholson.morganfreeman|url-status=live}}</ref> The plot follows two [[terminally ill]] men on a road trip with a list of things to do before they die. The film grossed $175 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Bucket List|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2873722369/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727145015/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2873722369/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Nelson Mandela 1994 (2).jpg|thumb|upright|Freeman was nominated for an [[Academy Award for Best Actor]] for his portrayal of [[Nelson Mandela]] (pictured)  in the film ''[[Invictus (film)|Invictus]]'' (2009)]]

In 2008, Freeman was cast in the action-thriller ''[[Wanted (2008 film)|Wanted]]'', a loose adaptation of [[Wanted (comics)|the comic book miniseries]] by [[Mark Millar]] and [[J. G. Jones]]. The plot revolves around Wesley Gibson ([[James McAvoy]]), a frustrated account manager who discovers that he is the son of a professional [[assassin]] and decides to join the Fraternity, a [[secret society]] of which Sloan (Freeman) is the leader. [[Principal photography]] took place in Chicago; co-star [[rapper]] [[Common (rapper)|Common]] remarked on the set atmosphere: "Freeman is a cool guy. He'd be walking around joking and singing and just dancing. You know, artists are free and I just felt the freedom in him."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morales|first=Wilson|date=June 23, 2008|title=June 2008 {{!}} blackfilm.com {{!}} Wanted: An Exclusive Interview with Commonn|url=http://www.blackfilm.com/20080620/features/commonint.shtml|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100621144622/http://www.blackfilm.com/20080620/features/commonint.shtml|archive-date=June 21, 2010|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=www.blackfilm.com}}</ref> The film received generally favorable reviews; Peter Howell of ''[[Toronto Star]]'' thought it was original and one of Freeman's bolder performances to date.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Howell|first=Peter|date=June 27, 2008|title=Wanted: Bullet-bending thriller|url=https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/06/27/wanted_bulletbending_thriller.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727180330/https://www.thestar.com/news/2008/06/27/wanted_bulletbending_thriller.html|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Toronto Star|language=en}}</ref> Freeman narrated ''[[The Love Guru]]'' (2008),<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Corliss|first=Richard|date=June 19, 2008|title=Love Guru: Transcendent ... Not!|language=en-US|magazine=Time|url=http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1816243,00.html|access-date=November 11, 2020|issn=0040-781X|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142456/http://content.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1816243,00.html|url-status=live}}</ref> before appearing in ''[[The Dark Knight]]'' (2008), the second installment of Christopher Nolan's ''Dark Knight Trilogy'', in which he reprised his role as Lucius Fox.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Alexander|first=Bryan|date=August 26, 2016|title=Morgan Freeman surprised by Batman announcement|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/08/26/morgan-freeman-ben-affleck-batman/2701291/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142509/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/08/26/morgan-freeman-ben-affleck-batman/2701291/|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman returned to Broadway in 2008 after an eighteen-year absence to co-star with [[Frances McDormand]] and [[Peter Gallagher]] in [[Clifford Odets]]' play, ''[[The Country Girl (1950 play)|The Country Girl]]'', directed by [[Mike Nichols]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=The Country Girl|title=The Country Girl – Broadway Play – 2008 Revival {{!}} IBDB|url=https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-country-girl-470352|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=Internet Broadway Database|language=en|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142533/https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-country-girl-470352|url-status=live}}</ref>

Freeman continued to accept roles in a diverse range of genres. In 2009, Freeman starred opposite [[Antonio Banderas]] in the heist movie ''[[Thick as Thieves (2009 film)|Thick as Thieves]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Thick as Thieves (The Code) (2009)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/code|work=Rotten Tomatoes|date=June 23, 2009 |language=en|access-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402032752/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/code|archive-date=April 2, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Next, he collaborated with [[Christopher Walken]] and [[William H. Macy]] for the comedy ''[[The Maiden Heist]]''. For some time, Freeman expressed a desire to do a film based on [[Nelson Mandela]]. Initially, he wanted to adapt Mandela's autobiography ''[[Long Walk to Freedom]]'' into a screenplay, but plans were never finalized.<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Gumbel|title=Morgan Freeman to play Mandela in new film|work=[[The Independent]]|date=September 26, 2007}}</ref> Instead, he purchased the film rights to John Carlin's book: ''Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Morgan Freeman talks about making 'Invictus' and playing Mandela|url=https://thegrio.com/2009/12/12/morgan-freeman-talks-about-making-invictus-and-playing-mandela/|website=[[TheGrio]]|publisher=[[Entertainment Studios]]|location=Los Angeles, California|date=December 12, 2012|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711090554/https://thegrio.com/2009/12/12/morgan-freeman-talks-about-making-invictus-and-playing-mandela/|archive-date=July 11, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The book was adapted into a film which Clint Eastwood directed, ''[[Invictus (film)|Invictus]]'', starring Freeman as Mandela and [[Matt Damon]] as rugby team captain [[Francois Pienaar]].<ref>{{cite news|first=Bill|last=Keller |author-link=Bill Keller |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/books/review/Keller-t.html|title=Entering the Scrum|work=[[The New York Times Book Review]]|date=August 17, 2008|access-date=May 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130602033505/http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/17/books/review/Keller-t.html|archive-date=June 2, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The biographical drama received positive reviews for Freeman's performance; Roger Ebert wrote: "Freeman does a splendid job of evoking the man Nelson Mandela ... He shows him as genial, confident, calming, over what was clearly a core of tempered steel."<ref>{{cite web|last=Ebert|first=Roger|date=December 9, 2009|title=South Africa's messiah as rugby fan|url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/invictus-2009|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804021145/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/invictus-2009|archive-date=August 4, 2020|access-date=July 14, 2020|website=rogerebert.com}}</ref> Freeman received Best Actor nominations at the Academy Awards and Golden Globes, as well as a nomination for [[Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role|Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor]] at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.<ref>{{Cite web|date=February 2, 2010|title=Academy Award nominations|url=https://variety.com/2010/film/news/academy-award-nominations-1118014579/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727172154/https://variety.com/2010/film/news/academy-award-nominations-1118014579/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=January 18, 2010|title=67th Annual Golden Globes winners list|url=https://variety.com/2010/film/news/67th-annual-golden-globes-winners-list-1118013907/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727175115/https://variety.com/2010/film/news/67th-annual-golden-globes-winners-list-1118013907/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Barraclough|first=Leo|date=December 17, 2009|title=SAG nominations list|url=https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/sag-nominations-list-1118012896/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727175111/https://variety.com/2009/film/awards/sag-nominations-list-1118012896/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> The same year he provided the narration for [[Janet Langhart]]'s ''[[Anne and Emmett]]'', a play featuring an imaginary conversation between [[Emmett Till]] and [[Anne Frank]], both killed as young teenagers because of racial persecution.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/13/AR2009061302113.html |title=Courtland Milloy on the Debut of 'Anne and Emmett' |author-link=Courtland Milloy|first=Courtland|last=Milloy |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url-access=subscription |date=June 14, 2009 |access-date=September 7, 2020 |archive-date=April 29, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190429182011/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/13/AR2009061302113.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Morgan Freeman - Discovery Shoot (6559314831).jpg|thumb|170px|left|Freeman in 2009]]
Freeman's sole film release of 2010 was ''[[Red (2010 film)|Red]]'' with co-stars [[Bruce Willis]], [[Helen Mirren]], and [[John Malkovich]].<ref name="red">{{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/19/morgan-freeman-joins-the-big-screen-adaptation-of-warren-ellis%e2%80%99-red/|title=Morgan Freeman Joins The Big Screen Adaptation of Warren Ellis' Red|first=Peter|last=Sciretta|website=[[/Film]]|date=July 19, 2009|access-date=January 19, 2010|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120909182923/http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/19/morgan-freeman-joins-the-big-screen-adaptation-of-warren-ellis%E2%80%99-red/|archive-date=September 9, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> ''Red'' is loosely adapted from the [[Limited series (comics)|comic-book series]] [[Red (WildStorm)|Red]], created by [[Warren Ellis]] and [[Cully Hamner]] and published by the [[DC Comics]] imprint [[Homage Comics|Homage]]. Freeman plays CIA [[mentor]] Joe, who helps retired fellow agent Frank (Willis) to uncover some assassins. The film was a critical and commercial success;<ref>{{Cite web|title=RED|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2104329729/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142459/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2104329729/|url-status=live}}</ref> writing for Melbourne's ''[[The Age]]'', Jim Schembri praised Freeman and the cast who "bring an infectious comic energy to their roles".<ref>{{Cite web|last=Schembri|first=Jim|date=October 27, 2010|title=RED|url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/red-20101027-173ci.html|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=The Age|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200605123750/https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/red-20101027-173ci.html|archive-date=June 5, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Besides film, Freeman worked on other projects. In January 2010, he replaced [[Walter Cronkite]] as the voiceover introduction to the ''[[CBS Evening News]]'' presented by [[Katie Couric]].<ref name="news">{{cite news|date=January 5, 2010|title=Freeman replaces Cronkite on CBS news|work=[[Boston Globe]]|url=https://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2010/01/05/freeman_replaces_cronkite_on_cbs_news/|access-date=January 5, 2010|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142459/https://www.boston.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> CBS gave the need for consistency in introductions for regular news broadcasts and special reports as the basis for the change.<ref name="news" /> Deborah Myers, head of [[Science Channel]], approached Freeman to be the presenter of ''[[Through the Wormhole]]'' (2010–17)''.'' She had heard that he was "really interested in space and the universe", and the pair agreed to develop the series together.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Halterman|first=Jim|date=June 9, 2010|title=Interview: "Through the Wormhole with Morgan Freeman" Executive Producer Bernadette Mcdaid |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/interviews/2010/06/09/interview-through-the-wormhole-with-morgan-freeman-executive-producer-bernadette-mcdaid-36048/20100609_throughthewormhole/|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=The Futon Critic}}</ref>

In 2011, Freeman narrated the fantasy ''[[Conan the Barbarian (2011 film)|Conan the Barbarian]]'' and appeared in the family drama ''[[Dolphin Tale]]'', as prosthetic specialist Dr. McCarthy.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trumbore|first=Dave|date=September 11, 2014|title=Morgan Freeman Talks Dolphin Tale 2, Returning to Play the Snarky Dr. McCarthy, Reuniting with Winter, and Comments on the Late Nelson Mandela|url=https://collider.com/morgan-freeman-dolphin-tale-2-interview/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Collider|language=en-US}}</ref> Returning to theater in 2011, Freeman was featured with [[John Lithgow]] in the Broadway debut of [[Dustin Lance Black]]'s play, ''[[8 (play)|8]]'', a staged reenactment of ''[[Perry v. Brown]]'', the federal trial that overturned California's [[Proposition 8]] ban on [[Same-sex marriage in California|same-sex marriage]]. Freeman played Attorney [[David Boies]].<ref name="8 the play">{{cite news|first=Debra|last=Cassens Weiss|title=Proposition 8 Play Features Morgan Freeman and John Lithgow as Litigators Boies and Olson|url=http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/proposition_8_play_features_morgan_freeman_and_john_lithgow_as_litigators_b/|work=[[ABA Journal]]|location=Chicago, Illinois|date=September 20, 2011|access-date=March 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229075457/http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/proposition_8_play_features_morgan_freeman_and_john_lithgow_as_litigators_b|archive-date=December 29, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> The production was held at the [[Eugene O'Neill Theatre]] in New York City to raise money for the [[American Foundation for Equal Rights]].<ref name="8 play video">{{cite web|title='8': A Play about the Fight for Marriage Equality|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM|website=YouTube|publisher=American Foundation for Equal Rights|date=March 4, 2012|access-date=March 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315020450/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qlUG8F9uVgM|archive-date=March 15, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|first=Stephen|last=Gray|title=YouTube to broadcast Proposition 8 play live|url=http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/01/youtube-to-broadcast-proposition-8-play-live/|work=[[Pink News]]|location=London, England|date=March 1, 2012|access-date=March 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120304005919/http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2012/03/01/youtube-to-broadcast-proposition-8-play-live/|archive-date=March 4, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman had a lead role in the 2012 drama ''[[The Magic of Belle Isle]]'', as an alcoholic novelist trying to write again. The film fared poorly with critics, gaining only a 29% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Magic of Belle Isle (2012)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_magic_of_belle_isle|website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=July 6, 2012 |language=en|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190506220845/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_magic_of_belle_isle|archive-date=May 6, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Lastly in 2012, Freeman reprised his role as Lucius Fox for the third time in ''[[The Dark Knight Rises]].''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Carlston|first=Eric|date=July 19, 2012|title='Dark Knight Rises' Star Morgan Freeman Sounds Off on Pot Legalization, Gay Marriage|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dark-knight-rises-morgan-freeman-351761|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150122012831/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dark-knight-rises-morgan-freeman-351761|archive-date=January 22, 2015|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en}}</ref>

A number of box office hits were released in 2013. Freeman appeared in the action-thriller ''[[Olympus Has Fallen]]'', the first installment in what would become the [[Has Fallen|''Has Fallen'' film series]];<ref>{{Cite web|title=Olympus Has Fallen|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2302755/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo}}</ref> he portrays [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House]] Allan Trumbull. The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' critic gave ''Olympus Has Fallen'' 3 out of 4 stars and opined that Freeman gave an amicable supporting performance.<ref>{{Cite web|last=LaSalle|first=Mick|date=March 21, 2013|title='Olympus Has Fallen' review: Satisfying|url=https://www.sfgate.com/movies/article/Olympus-Has-Fallen-review-Satisfying-4373617.php|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=SFGate|language=en-US}}</ref> He then starred in the science fiction drama ''[[Oblivion (2013 film)|Oblivion]]'', with co-star [[Tom Cruise]], as veteran soldier Malcolm Beech,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Oblivion|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1483013/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142819/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1483013/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> and appeared in the thriller ''[[Now You See Me (film)|Now You See Me]]'', as an ex-magician.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Now You See Me|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1670345/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200228210844/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1670345/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|archive-date=February 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Lastly, he played a retiree in ''[[Last Vegas]]'', with co-stars [[Michael Douglas]], [[Robert De Niro]], [[Kevin Kline]], and [[Mary Steenburgen]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Last Vegas|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1204975/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142817/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1204975/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|url-status=live}}</ref> Filmed in [[Las Vegas]] and [[Atlanta]],<ref>{{Cite web|last=Christine|first=Bord|date=November 28, 2012|title='Last Vegas' looking for Extras in Atlanta|url=https://onlocationvacations.com/2012/11/28/last-vegas-looking-for-extras-in-atlanta/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=On Location Vacations|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142822/https://onlocationvacations.com/2012/11/28/last-vegas-looking-for-extras-in-atlanta/|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Last Vegas'' was praised for its cast's chemistry, and one critic thought Freeman brought the most amusement.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bowles|first=Scott|date=October 31, 2013|title='Last Vegas' can't putter past story predictability|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/10/31/last-vegas-movie-review/3322183/|access-date=October 20, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142821/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/movies/2013/10/31/last-vegas-movie-review/3322183/|url-status=live}}</ref>

===2014–present: Continued success===
[[File:Morgan Freeman Deauville 2018.jpg|thumb|upright|Freeman at the [[Deauville Film Festival]] in 2018]]

In 2014, Freeman voiced the character [[Vitruvius (The Lego Movie)|Vitruvius]] in ''[[The Lego Movie]]'', a commercially successful 3D animation.<ref>{{Cite web|title=The Lego Movie|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl643728897/|access-date=July 27, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731183249/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl643728897/|archive-date=July 31, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> He starred in ''[[Transcendence (2014 film)|Transcendence]]'', a science fiction thriller directed by [[Wally Pfister]] in his directorial debut, in which Freeman plays scientist Joseph Tagger. Critic reviews of the film were generally mixed, according to [[Metacritic]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Transcendence|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/transcendence|work=Metacritic|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142829/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/transcendence|url-status=live}}</ref> Next, he co-starred in the action [[Lucy (2014 film)|''Lucy'']] (2014), about a woman ([[Scarlett Johansson]]) who gains [[psychokinetic]] abilities when a [[nootropic]] drug is absorbed into her bloodstream. Freeman plays Professor Samuel Norman, who helps her research the condition. Producer [[Virginie Silla]] wanted Freeman for the part because of his experience in portraying a character of wisdom.<ref name=":4">[http://www.lucymovie.com/pdf/lucy_production_notes.pdf Lucy Production Notes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140801123339/http://lucymovie.com/pdf/lucy_production_notes.pdf |date=August 1, 2014}} (PDF). ''[[Universal Pictures]]''. Retrieved July 27, 2020.</ref> "He was the perfect actor", she said.<ref name=":4" /> Upon the release of ''Lucy'', critical reception ranged from mixed-to-positive.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Lucy (2014)|date=July 25, 2014 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lucy_2014|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en|access-date=July 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200430042653/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/lucy_2014|archive-date=April 30, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> In the same year Freeman appeared in ''[[Dolphin Tale 2]]'', the sequel to 2011's ''[[Dolphin Tale]]'',<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trumbore|first=Dave|date=September 11, 2014|title=Morgan Freeman Talks Dolphin Tale 2, Returning to Play the Snarky Dr. McCarthy, Reuniting with Winter, and Comments on the Late Nelson Mandela|url=http://collider.com/morgan-freeman-dolphin-tale-2-interview/|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Collider|language=en-US|archive-date=October 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141028191248/http://collider.com/morgan-freeman-dolphin-tale-2-interview/|url-status=live}}</ref> and ''[[5 Flights Up]]'', a comedy-drama.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Barker|first=Andrew|date=September 6, 2014|title=Toronto Film Review: 'Ruth & Alex'|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/toronto-film-review-ruth-alex-1201299557/|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Variety|language=en-US|archive-date=January 8, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150108235331/http://variety.com/2014/film/reviews/toronto-film-review-ruth-alex-1201299557/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of 2014, Freeman appeared as himself, among other celebrities, in the documentary ''[[Lennon or McCartney]].''<ref>{{Cite web|last=Falkner|first=Scott|date=December 22, 2014|title=Lennon Or McCartney? New Documentary Asks 550 Celebrities Their Preference — See Their Answers|url=https://www.inquisitr.com/1697375/lennon-or-mccartney-new-documentary-asks-550-celebrities-their-preference-see-their-answers/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727021855/https://www.inquisitr.com/1697375/lennon-or-mccartney-new-documentary-asks-550-celebrities-their-preference-see-their-answers/|archive-date=July 27, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=www.inquisitr.com}}</ref>

[[Kazuaki Kiriya]]'s action-thriller ''[[Last Knights]]'' was Freeman's first film of 2015, starring opposite [[Clive Owen]]. The plot centers on a band of warriors who seek to avenge the loss of their master at the hands of a corrupt minister. Reviews were largely underwhelming;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Last Knights|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/last-knights|work=Metacritic|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142855/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/last-knights|url-status=live}}</ref> Sara Stewart of ''[[New York Post]]'' called it "bloody bad", adding: "Once-proud box office names are its first casualties."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Stewart|first=Sara|date=April 1, 2015|title=Freeman, Owen casualties of bloody bad 'Last Knights'|url=https://nypost.com/2015/04/01/freeman-owen-casualties-of-bloody-bad-last-knights/|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=New York Post|language=en-US|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127224205/https://nypost.com/2015/04/01/freeman-owen-casualties-of-bloody-bad-last-knights/|archive-date=January 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman next joined the cast of ''[[Ted 2]]'', a comedy sequel to ''[[Ted (film)|Ted]]'', directed by [[Seth MacFarlane]]. The story follows the talking teddy bear Ted as he fights for civil rights in order to be recognized as a person. Freeman portrays Patrick Meighan, a highly respected civil rights attorney.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kroll|first=Justin|date=September 10, 2014|title=Morgan Freeman Lands Juicy Role in 'Ted 2' (EXCLUSIVE)|url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/morgan-freeman-ted-2-1201291079/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911002446/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/morgan-freeman-ted-2-1201291079/|archive-date=September 11, 2014|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Variety|language=en}}</ref> A television series, [[Madam Secretary (TV series)|''Madam Secretary'']], also occupied Freeman's time. He played [[Chief Justice of the United States|Chief Justice]] Frawley of the United States [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] in a recurring role in the series''.'' He and his producing partner Lori McCreary were executive producers.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Keveney|first=Bill|title=Morgan Freeman has double duty in CBS' 'Madam Secretary'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/09/30/morgan-freeman-has-double-duty-cbs-madam-secretary/73050472/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142842/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/09/30/morgan-freeman-has-double-duty-cbs-madam-secretary/73050472/|url-status=live}}</ref> Freeman directed the first episode; McCreary remarked of his directing style, "What's riveting is that he can achieve a complete tonal change in performance with the least amount of direction{{nbsp}}... Everybody behaves better when Morgan is there{{nbsp}}... but he's very fun."<ref>{{Cite web|last=Keveney|first=Bill|date=October 1, 2015|title=Morgan Freeman has double duty in CBS' 'Madam Secretary'|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/09/30/morgan-freeman-has-double-duty-cbs-madam-secretary/73050472/|access-date=July 29, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142834/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/tv/2015/09/30/morgan-freeman-has-double-duty-cbs-madam-secretary/73050472/|url-status=live}}</ref> At the end of 2015, Freeman played a U.S. senator in the thriller ''[[Momentum (2015 film)|Momentum]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 24, 2015|title=Morgan Freeman thriller loses Momentum taking £4.60 per cinema|url=http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/nov/24/morgan-freeman-thriller-momentum-flops-uk-cinema|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190716232902/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/nov/24/morgan-freeman-thriller-momentum-flops-uk-cinema|archive-date=July 16, 2019|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=The Guardian|language=en}}</ref>

Reprising his role as Allan Trumbull, Freeman appeared in ''[[London Has Fallen]]'', the 2016 sequel to ''Olympus Has Fallen''. The film follows a plot to assassinate the world leaders of the [[G7]] as they attend the [[British Prime Minister]]'s funeral in London, as well as [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agent Mike Banning's efforts to protect U.S. President Benjamin Asher ([[Aaron Eckhart]]) from being killed. The film was a commercial success;<ref>{{Cite web|title=London Has Fallen|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1801553409/|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200520005627/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1801553409/|archive-date=May 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> however, writing for ''[[The A.V. Club]]'', [[Ignatiy Vishnevetsky]] criticized the cheap filmmaking, saying: "The movie periodically cuts to overqualified supporting actors—including Freeman, [[Melissa Leo]], and [[Robert Forster]]{{nbsp}}... (As it turns out, it's possible to write something that will sound like garbage even when spoken in Freeman's sonorous voice.)"<ref>{{Cite web|last=Vishnevetsky|first=Ignatiy|date=March 2, 2016|title=Gerard Butler scowls his way through the atrocious London Has Fallen|url=https://www.avclub.com/gerard-butler-scowls-his-way-through-the-atrocious-lond-1798186887|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728134439/https://film.avclub.com/gerard-butler-scowls-his-way-through-the-atrocious-lond-1798186887|archive-date=July 28, 2020|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=A.V. Club|language=en-us}}</ref> Next, Freeman reprised his role as Thaddeus Bradley, starring in ''[[Now You See Me 2]]'' (2016),<ref>{{Cite web|last=Gill|first=James|date=January 20, 2015|title=First look at Daniel Radcliffe in magic heist Now You See Me 2|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/2015-01-20/first-look-at-daniel-radcliffe-in-magic-heist-now-you-see-me-2/|access-date=November 11, 2020|website=Radio Times|language=en|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142824/https://www.radiotimes.com/|url-status=live}}</ref> the sequel to ''Now You See Me'', the sequel grossing a successful $334.9 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Now You See Me 2|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3580331521/|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627143848/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3580331521/|archive-date=June 27, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> Finally, he had a leading role in the historical drama ''[[Ben-Hur (2016 film)|Ben-Hur]]'', the fifth [[film adaptation]] of the 1880 novel ''[[Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ]]'' by [[Lew Wallace]]. Freeman expressed interest in playing [[Sheik Ilderim]], a wealthy [[Nubians|Nubian]] [[Sheikh|sheik]], stating: "This character has quite a bit of power in the story. And I like playing power. It's something about my own personal ego."<ref>{{Cite magazine|last=Kolbert|first=Elizabeth|date=August 1, 2016|title=Morgan Freeman's "Ben-Hur"|url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/08/morgan-freemans-ben-hur|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160804033752/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/08/morgan-freemans-ben-hur|archive-date=August 4, 2016|access-date=July 28, 2020|magazine=The New Yorker|language=en-us}}</ref> ''Ben-Hur'' turned out to be one of 2016's biggest [[box-office bomb]]s.<ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/movies/box-office-flops-2016/ |title=The Biggest Box Office Flops of 2016 |last=Boardman |first=Madeline |date=January 2, 2017 |magazine=[[Entertainment Weekly]] |publisher= |access-date=September 17, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/lists/2016s-biggest-box-office-bombs-958780/ben-hur-3/ |title='Ben Hur' to 'BFG': Hollywood's Biggest Box-Office Bombs of 2016 |last1=McClintock |first1=Pamela |last2=Galuppo |first2=Mia |date=December 29, 2016 |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |publisher= |access-date=September 17, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin hosts Morgan Freeman for a private screening and conversation about Freeman’s documentary film on the 761st Tank Battalion at The Pentagon on Aug. 2, 2023 - 230802-D-PM193-3355.jpg|thumb|left|Freeman at a private screening in [[The Pentagon]] in 2023]]
In 2017, Freeman appeared in two comedies: ''[[Going in Style (2017 film)|Going in Style]]'' and ''[[Just Getting Started (2017 film)|Just Getting Started]].'' The first one is a remake of [[Going in Style|the 1979 film]] with the same name, co-starring [[Michael Caine]] and [[Alan Arkin]]; in it they play bank robbers after their pensions are canceled.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Pedersen|first=Erik|date=January 12, 2016|title=Warner Bros Moves Key & Peele Starrer 'Keanu' Back One Week – Update|url=https://deadline.com/2016/01/keanu-release-date-going-in-style-key-and-peele-morgan-freeman-michael-caine-1201433439/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725233413/https://deadline.com/2016/01/keanu-release-date-going-in-style-key-and-peele-morgan-freeman-michael-caine-1201433439/|archive-date=July 25, 2020|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en}}</ref> It opened to a mixed response;<ref>{{Cite web|title=Going in Style|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/going-in-style|work=Metacritic|access-date=November 12, 2020|archive-date=October 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171027055917/http://www.metacritic.com/movie/going-in-style|url-status=live}}</ref> ''The Telegraph''{{'}}s [[Robbie Collin]] thought the trio of actors looked tired before the end of it.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Collin|first=Robbie|date=April 6, 2017|title=Going in Style: Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman go nowhere in this benignly boring comedy - review|language=en-GB|work=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/going-style-review-michael-caine-morgan-freeman-go-nowhere-benignly/|access-date=July 28, 2020|issn=0307-1235|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728231636/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/going-style-review-michael-caine-morgan-freeman-go-nowhere-benignly/|archive-date=July 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> ''Just Getting Started'', in which Freeman starred with [[Tommy Lee Jones]] and [[Rene Russo]], was critically panned by reviewers.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Just Getting Started (2017)|date=December 8, 2017 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/just_getting_started|publisher=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en|access-date=July 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200801170944/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/just_getting_started|archive-date=August 1, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The plot follows an ex-FBI agent (Jones) who must put aside his personal feud with a former mob lawyer (Freeman) at a retirement home when the mafia comes to kill the pair. Freeman also hosted the [[National Geographic (American TV channel)|National Geographic]] ''[[The Story of God with Morgan Freeman]]'' and ''[[The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman]]'', in 2016 and 2017, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=June 11, 2015|title=Morgan Freeman To Host & Produce 'The Story Of God' For Nat Geo|url=https://deadline.com/2015/06/morgan-freeman-host-the-story-of-god-national-geographic-channel-1201441271/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=Deadline|language=en|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142823/https://deadline.com/2015/06/morgan-freeman-host-the-story-of-god-national-geographic-channel-1201441271/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, Freeman narrated ''[[Alpha (2018 film)|Alpha]]'', a historical drama set in the [[Last Glacial Maximum|last ice age]]. He then starred in Disney's ''[[The Nutcracker and the Four Realms]]'', a retelling of [[E. T. A. Hoffmann]]'s short story "[[The Nutcracker and the Mouse King]]" and [[Marius Petipa]]'s and [[Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky]]'s ballet ''[[The Nutcracker]]''.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Truitt|first=Brian|title=10 burning questions you might have about Disney's new live-action 'Nutcracker' movie|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/11/01/10-burning-questions-disney-new-nutcracker-movie/1825370002/|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=USA Today|language=en-US|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142839/https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/entertainthis/2018/11/01/10-burning-questions-disney-new-nutcracker-movie/1825370002/|url-status=live}}</ref> Finally he had an uncredited role as Jerome in the biographical drama ''[[Brian Banks (film)|Brian Banks]]'', a high-school [[American football|football]] player who was falsely accused of rape and upon his release attempted to fulfill his dream of making the [[NFL]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Farber|first=Stephen|date=September 26, 2018|title='Brian Banks': Film Review {{!}} LAFF 2018|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/brian-banks-review-1147182|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=The Hollywood Reporter|language=en|archive-date=March 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320142901/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/brian-banks-review-1147182|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2019, Freeman starred opposite [[John Travolta]] in ''[[The Poison Rose]]'', an adaptation of the novel by Richard Salvatore.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Wilson|first=Lisa|date=June 6, 2018|title=Savannah film behind-the-scenes: Actress praises Morgan Freeman. Travolta plays poker|url=https://www.islandpacket.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/article212670949.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701030558/https://www.islandpacket.com/entertainment/movies-news-reviews/article212670949.html|archive-date=July 1, 2018|access-date=July 31, 2020|website=The Island Packet}}</ref> In ''[[Angel Has Fallen]]'', Freeman reprised his role as Allan Trumbull, the third installment in the ''Has Fallen'' film series, following ''Olympus Has Fallen'' and ''London Has Fallen''. Although critical reception was mixed,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Angel Has Fallen (2019)|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/angel_has_fallen|work=Rotten Tomatoes|language=en|access-date=November 11, 2020|archive-date=August 22, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190822195103/https://rottentomatoes.com/m/angel_has_fallen/|url-status=live}}</ref> the film was a box office success, earning $147.5 million worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Angel Has Fallen|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1745257985/|access-date=July 28, 2020|website=Box Office Mojo|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200728175130/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl1745257985/|archive-date=July 28, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

Freeman next appeared alongside an ensemble cast in [[George Gallo]]'s crime comedy ''[[The Comeback Trail (2020 film)|The Comeback Trail]]'' (2020) and in ''[[Coming 2 America]]'' (2021), a sequel to [[Coming to America|the 1988 film]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Eddie Murphy Says "Coming To America" Sequel Will Make His Daughter A Star|url=https://allhiphop.com/news/eddie-murphy-says-coming-to-america-sequel-will-make-his-daughter-a-star-5vQs-hRViE2HGvefTBP2RA|access-date=August 1, 2020|website=AllHipHop.com|language=en|archive-date=March 7, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210307213643/https://allhiphop.com/news/eddie-murphy-says-coming-to-america-sequel-will-make-his-daughter-a-star/|url-status=live}}</ref> On November 20, 2022, Freeman performed with [[Ghanim Al-Muftah]] at the [[2022 FIFA World Cup#Opening ceremony|opening ceremony]] of the [[2022 FIFA World Cup]] in Qatar.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/world-cup-2022-opening-ceremony-morgan-freeman-bts-jung-kook-b1041287.html|title=Qatar kick off World Cup 2022 with Morgan Freeman and BTS star Jung Kook|website=Evening Standard|last=Young|first=Alex|date=November 20, 2022|access-date=November 20, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/news/morgan-freeman-speaks-at-world-cup-opening-ceremony-in-qatar|title=Morgan Freeman Performs At World Cup Opening Ceremony In Qatar|magazine=Sports Illustrated|last=Summerscales|first=Robert|date=November 20, 2022|access-date=November 20, 2022}}</ref> In 2021 he took a guest starring role acting opposite [[Michael Douglas]] and [[Alan Arkin]] in the [[Netflix]] comedy ''[[The Kominsky Method]]'' for which he was nominated for the [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/2021-emmys-nominations-list-nominees-1234977527/|title= Emmy Awards: 'Bridgerton,' 'I May Destroy You,' 'Ted Lasso,' 'WandaVision' Among Nominees|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate= January 27, 2025}}</ref> Since 2023 he has portrayed a [[United States Secretary of State]] in the [[Taylor Sheridan]] created [[Paramount+]] [[spy thriller]] series ''[[Lioness (American TV series)|Lioness]]'' starring [[Nicole Kidman]] and [[Zoe Saldana]].<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/video/morgan-freeman-joins-nicole-kidman-in-taylor-sheridan-series-lioness-thr-news/|title= Morgan Freeman Joins Nicole Kidman in Taylor Sheridan Series 'Lioness'|website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]]|accessdate= January 27, 2025}}</ref> Freeman stated he joined the show due to Sheridan telling ''[[TV Insider]]'', "I'm so enamored of him and his work. He's so prolific, and it's always good."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.tvinsider.com/1164037/lioness-interview-morgan-freeman/|title= Morgan Freeman Reveals the Real Reason He Had to Join TV for 'Lioness'|website= [[TV Insider]]|accessdate= January 27, 2025}}</ref> Freeman is set to return to the heist franchise acting in ''[[Now You See Me: Now You Don't]]'' which is set to release November 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/now-see-3-welcomes-back-171400468.html|title= 'Now You See Me 3' Welcomes Back an Original Cast Member and Says Goodbye to a Fan Favorite|website= Yahoo News|accessdate= March 24, 2025}}</ref>