It was still up in the air a couple of weeks ago when we reported it, but it’s now confirmed. Matrix star Laurence Fishburne is joining the cast of CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, reports Access Hollywood. The CBS series was losing some star power with William Petersen (who plays lead detective Gil Grissom) leaving the show after nine seasons; and they needed a strong new member fast. Enter Laurence Fishburne. The drama, which enters its tenth season, will introduce Fishburne’s character in the ninth episode. He will play a forensic scientist with a secret who meets members of the “CSI” team during a murder investigation and ends up joining them. “I am elated and delighted to be joining the cast of `CSI,”’ Fishburne said in a statement, adding that he looked forward to a “wonderful collaboration” with those involved in the series. We’re looking forward to you joining the show, too, Laurence!

Say it’s so! Laurence Fishburne could be joining the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation cast, according to the Hollywood Reporter. CSI has needed some sort of resurgence lately, and with William Petersen (we love Grissom) leaving the show, they really need to find someone who can lend some star power to the CBS crime drama. Nothing’s been confirmed yet, but sources are saying that if picked up, the Matrix star will be playing quite a mysterious character. Fishburne, according to HR’s source, is being heavily courted to play a new character, described as a doctor/scientist outsider to the CSI unit who has the same genetic profile as a serial killer but hasn’t previously acted on any homicidal impulses. Ooh, sounds tasty! As a dorky CSI fan (the original one and not those lame NY and Miami spin-offs), I am praying to the CBS gods that they get Laurence Fishburne. There you go. My wish is out in the universe now where it’s flying with unicorns, so let’s hope for the best.

Here are more pictures from the premiere of 21 at the Planet Hollywood Casino in Las Vegas last night. Kevin Spacey plays the MIT math teacher in the movie who helps some students learn how to count cards. Kevin’s definitely under the radar as an actor. He’s an Oscar winner, but he’s not in the limelight much. He was also one of the producers for this movie. My fave Kevin Spacey role has to be Verbal Kint (or Kaiser Sose) in The Usual Suspects. Anyway, he looked very dapper last night at the premiere.

And here we have Morpheus, aka Laurence Fishburne, with wife Gina Torres. They were very casual at the premiere. Laurence plays Cole Williams, the casino security expert in the movie. He has that authority figure thing about him, Laurence does, so this is a good role for him.