As a gamer who has lived through the golden age of cinema, I can’t help but reflect on the choices that shaped the Hollywood landscape as we know it today. One such choice that stands out is Will Smith turning down the role of Neo in The Matrix.
Will Smith is renowned for hit movies like Men in Black, Bad Boys, and Independence Day, and he almost took on another massive franchise – The Matrix. As this franchise marks its 25th anniversary this year (and has returned to theaters), we’re reflecting on why Smith decided against playing Neo in The Matrix.
Smith personally shared this tale five years ago through an update on his YouTube channel. He said, “Here’s a story I’m not particularly proud of, but it’s the reality. I chose to reject Neo from The Matrix,” he elaborated.
Saying no to Men in Black came first
During the late ’90s, Smith was a radiant luminary, gracing TV screens on Fresh Prince of Bel-Air (1990-1996) and silver screens in Bad Boys (1995) and Independence Day (1996). With his status as a full-fledged Hollywood megastar, he received numerous offers for his next film project. One such offer was Men In Black, which at first, Smith wasn’t keen on accepting due to concerns about being stereotyped as the “alien character” after starring in Independence Day.
“At that point in my life, things were chaotic and everything seemed to work out no matter what I did. The year before, I had worked on Independence Day, so I felt like I didn’t want to make another movie about aliens and be labeled as the ‘alien movie guy.’ So, I declined the offer for Men in Black.
Eventually, Steven Spielberg, a producer for Men in Black, reached out to Smith to query his decision against being part of the film. Smith shared his concerns about typecasting, but Spielberg persuaded him by emphasizing the value of Spielberg’s extensive expertise and urging trust in the director’s judgment. Ultimately, Smith agreed to star in the movie, which led to two subsequent main sequels featuring him alongside Tommy Lee Jones.
The Wachowskis and their Matrix pitch
In 1998, Smith was a highly sought-after Hollywood actor and was initially chosen to portray Neo in The Matrix. However, it wasn’t the concern of being typecast that led Smith to decline The Matrix. Instead, he found himself struggling to grasp the concept that the Wachowskis had for the film, which later became a hit with Keanu Reeves taking on the leading role in 1999.
Initially, they had only worked on one film (Bound), but presented an idea for The Matrix during their meeting. It appears they are incredibly intelligent individuals. However, the borderline between brilliance and the impression I got from the meeting is quite thin,” he commented.
Neo leaping into the air while cameras revolve around him in a full 360 degrees. Although this sequence turned out to be captivating in the final film, Smith initially found it hard to appreciate. This is how Smith remembers the Wachowskis’ presentation of that scene.
Picture this: You’re engaged in a fight, and suddenly you have the ability to pause mid-jump. While suspended in the air, you could provide a 360-degree view to others around you. Then, we’ll develop cameras so that people can witness your entire jump during this momentary pause.
Instead of The Matrix, Smith opted to produce Wild Wild West (1999). While Smith has enjoyed a prosperous career, that particular film is not one of his most commendable works. “I’m not particularly proud of it,” Smith commented about the movie, which shared its name with a song played during the closing credits.
Keanu was perfect
Smith expressed that he bears no resentment towards Reeves, praising him for being an ideal fit for the role, just as Fishburne was perfect as Morpheus. Intriguingly, Smith mentioned that when he himself was up for the Neo character, the filmmakers had initially planned to cast Val Kilmer as Morpheus. Consequently, if things had gone differently, the movie would have turned out to be a significantly distinct production.
“I probably would have messed The Matrix up. I would have ruined it. So I did y’all a favor.”
As a huge fan, I’d put it this way: “Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne were spot-on in their roles. If I had been cast instead due to my ethnicity, Morpheus wouldn’t have been portrayed by a black actor. They were considering Val Kilmer for Neo, and I was meant to be Morpheus. Had that happened, I believe I would have disrupted the magic of The Matrix. I might have spoiled it. In the end, I think I saved you all from a potentially disappointing experience.
Smith’s legacy
Back in the ’90s, I was on fire, with Fresh Prince, Bad Boys, Independence Day, and Men in Black lighting up the big screen. The success just kept rolling in during the 2000s. I starred in I, Robot (2004), Hitch (2005), and The Pursuit of Happyness (2006) within three years, even snagging an Academy Award nod for The Pursuit of Happyness. However, not all of my later films hit the mark as my lead roles in M. Night Shyalaman’s After Earth (alongside my son) and Gemini Man (against a digitally de-aged version of myself) were met with less enthusiasm.
In the year 2021, Smith played Richard Williams, the father of tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, in King Richard. His portrayal earned him an Oscar win. However, his triumph at the Oscars was overshadowed when he slapped host Chris Rock on stage, an action for which he later apologized. Following King Richard, Smith appeared in 2022’s drama Emancipation and Bad Boys: Ride of Die, released in 2024.
Is it true that Smith admits to not being proud of his decision to turn down the offer for Neo in The Matrix? Indeed, had he accepted, it could have been another significant financial boost for him, given the financial success of the Matrix films over time. However, it’s important to note that many actors have passed on roles that eventually turned out to be career-defining.
Initially, Tom Selleck and John Travolta were offered roles that they ultimately declined – Indiana Jones and Forrest Gump respectively. On the other hand, Burt Reynolds rejected the chance to play Han Solo in Star Wars, while Leonardo DiCaprio was presented with the role of Anakin/Darth Vader. The film industry is brimming with tales of “what might have been,” and Smith turning down Neo is simply one example among many.
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2024-10-03 19:39