Will Smith Is Not Starring in a New ‘Matrix’ Movie

Will Smith will not star in the next Matrix movie.

As a passionate fan speaking here, I found myself intrigued on Monday by none other than the actor portraying King Richard himself, hinting at his possible involvement in the upcoming fifth installment of the Matrix franchise. This suggestion came after he posted a cryptic video on Instagram, recounting how he initially declined the iconic role of Neo – a part that eventually went to Keanu Reeves. The post concluded with a tantalizing teaser, leaving fans like myself in a whirlwind of speculation, wondering if this meant he was indeed joining the Matrix saga.

In a font reminiscent of “The Matrix,” the video message stated: “In 1997, the Wachowskis gave Will Smith the chance to play Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ However, Smith declined and opted for ‘Wild Wild West.’ Many wonder what ‘The Matrix’ would have been like with you as Neo, Smith. Here’s a thought: Maybe ‘The Matrix’ was always meant for you… after all.

On the contrary, confidants reportedly shared with The Hollywood Reporter that Will Smith won’t be participating in director Drew Goddard’s impending Matrix project.

The forthcoming film will mark a departure from the Wachowski siblings as directors, with Lana Wachowski, who recently helmed “The Matrix Resurrections” solo in 2021, serving as an executive producer for this upcoming project instead.

Last April, the project was officially unveiled, as Warner Bros expressed their admiration for the creative direction of the director behind “The Cabin in the Woods” movie.

In a statement, the studio expressed that Drew presented a fresh concept to Warner Bros., one we all feel could magnificently expand the Matrix universe. This idea aims to pay tribute to what Lana and Lilly Wachowski established 25 years ago, while also incorporating Drew’s personal affection for the series and its characters, offering a unique perspective in the process.

Goddard expressed his thoughts by saying: “It’s no exaggeration to state that The Matrix movies not only transformed cinema but also my personal life. The incredible talent of Lana and Lilly never fails to inspire me each day, and I am deeply thankful for the opportunity to weave tales within their universe.

Previously, Smith had mentioned that he rejected the opportunity for The Matrix because he wasn’t impressed by the Wachowski siblings’ presentation.

In a YouTube video posted in 2019, he stated: “When the Wachowskis arrived for their pitch, they had only one film under their belt. They presented The Matrix, which turned out to be a stroke of genius. However, the boundary between brilliance and what I encountered during that meeting was precarious.

“So, I made Wild Wild West. I’m not proud of it.”

’90s Movies We Can’t Believe Got Remakes

Flatliners (1990/2017)

In 1990, the film “Flatliners,” a chilling thriller that explores medical daredevils who experiment with death by self-resuscitation, earned over $125 million in modern-day dollars at the box office. However, it’s rare to encounter someone passionately fond of “Flatliners” and eagerly awaiting a remake. Contrary to popular belief, most of its success can be attributed to its release timeline, following closely behind the massive popularity of “Pretty Woman,” which catapulted Julia Roberts into global stardom. The 2017 remake struggled without her star power. Yet, I’d still love to attend a hypothetical FlatCon gathering where fans dress up as their favorite characters and simulate defibrillator shocks!

Total Recall (1990/2012)

When you remove Paul Verhoeven from a Paul Verhoeven film, not much changes, as we’ve learned. Verhoeven’s “Total Recall” was a defining science-fiction movie of its time. The remake, however, is not, with Colin Farrell taking over the role originally played by Arnold Schwarzenegger as Douglas Quaid, an amnesiac in a dystopian future who uncovers his potential identity as a secret agent. Although Farrell is a talented actor, he struggles in conventional leading roles. Alas, even though his “Total Recall” is only nine years old, it has been completely overshadowed and forgotten by our collective memory, as if replaced by implanted false memories.

Point Break (1991/2015)

Reimagining “Point Break” without its actors or directors seems to ignore the essence of what made the original film appealing. It wasn’t about the surfing or skydiving; it was the intriguing relationships between Keanu Reeves’s and Patrick Swayze’s characters that captivated audiences. Edgar Ramirez and Luke Bracey, unfortunately, failed to live up to their predecessors’ performances. Unsurprisingly, the 2015 version of “Point Break” earned less at the U.S. box office than the original did in 1991, even when accounting for inflation. However, if you’re aiming for greatness, you must be prepared to pay a high price.

Bad Lieutenant (1992/2009)

In contrast to most other films on this list, which were remakes of successful movies, Bad Lieutenant was initially only a cult favorite. Released in 1992, it earned $2.0 million at the box office as an unyielding drama about a police officer who has gone astray. Interestingly, 17 years later, it transformed into a Nicolas Cage and Werner Herzog collaboration, titled Bad Lieutenant. Surprisingly, this version surpassed the original’s earnings, grossing over $10 million upon its release. It also received relatively positive reviews. It seems strange that a film featuring Harvey Keitel dancing naked while heavily intoxicated on cocaine could become a franchise.

The Lion King (1994/2019)

Occasionally, there’s an argument for remaking a film if elements like setting, costumes, or props appear outdated; a fresh take can swap old-fashioned aspects with contemporary references and visuals. However, The Lion King was set in a timeless African savannah, leaving nothing to update. Yet, Disney still produced a “live-action” version in 2019, featuring computer-generated animal characters and an impressive voice cast including Donald Glover, Seth Rogen, John Oliver, Billy Eichner, and Beyoncé. While this decision might not have been the most creative, it was a smart financial move; the film earned over $1.6 billion globally. In Hollywood, remaking a movie that doesn’t necessitate a modern version is indeed the cycle of life repeating itself.

Mortal Kombat (1995/2021)

In this situation, I find it more surprising that Mortal Kombat has persisted for 25 years rather than being taken aback by the release of a new Mortal Kombat movie. Who would have thought that a game based on characters tearing each other’s spines out in an arcade would still be around? Honestly, I wouldn’t have predicted it myself, and I was regularly feeding quarters into the Mortal Kombat machine at the Loews Freehold Metroplex. The current iteration has swapped out the fake sets and initial computer effects for a rawer, gorier style and an authentic R rating.

Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: The Movie (1995/2017)

In a surprising turn of events, a nostalgic icon from the ’90s, initially perceived as a brief phenomenon on children’s television, has managed to maintain its relevance over the years. As I had outgrown my interest when the Power Rangers first appeared on screen, I dismissed it as yet another transient show in the realm of syndicated kids TV. However, the franchise remarkably evolved into various spin-offs and adaptations throughout the decades. After a 20-year hiatus from the big screen following the unsuccessful release of “Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie”, the Power Rangers made a comeback with prominent actors like Bryan Cranston and advanced visual effects. The 2017 “Power Rangers” film didn’t quite manage to kickstart a full-fledged movie franchise, but plans for yet another reboot are underway.

Sudden Death (1995/2020)

Among the numerous action films that followed in the footsteps of the original “Die Hard” during the 1990s, I would never have guessed that Jean-Claude Van Damme’s “Sudden Death” would be remade in the 2020s. It’s not that the movie was poor; it was actually one of the more successful “Die Hard” spin-offs from that era, featuring JCVD as a fire marshal trying to prevent terrorists from exploding a bomb during the Stanley Cup Finals. (In an iconic fight sequence, he even squares off against the Pittsburgh Penguins’ mascot.) In 2020, Michael Jai White reprised the story for his film “Welcome to Sudden Death,” set in a major basketball game. Who will take on the lead role when the remake is set at the World Series in 2045?

Funny Games (1997/2007)

Viewers may not have been eager for another installment of this disheartening thriller centered around two psychopathic children holding a family captive, but director Michael Haneke seemed to be. He re-created his own film nearly shot-for-shot a decade later, featuring an English-speaking cast including Naomi Watts and Tim Roth. Was it essential? Absolutely not. However, if you are a fan of grim movies and dislike reading subtitles, it’s your “Citizen Kane.

The Mummy (1999/2017)

1999’s “The Mummy” was actually a reimagining of Universal Studios’ classic monster film, so the concept of another remake in 2017 wasn’t entirely far-fetched. However, the main issue arose when Universal Pictures estimated that “The Mummy” could potentially earn $1 billion and built an entire cinematic universe around it, introducing a new series of interconnected monster movies featuring characters like “Frankenstein,” “The Invisible Man,” and others. Unfortunately, Tom Cruise’s “The Mummy” underperformed at the box office, effectively ending Universal’s proposed shared movie universe, known as “Dark Universe.” Conversely, the original Brendan Fraser-led “Mummy” has since grown in popularity, even developing a market for “Mummy” bumper stickers.

In 1999, “The Mummy” was a remake of an older Universal Studios movie. Another remake in 2017 wasn’t too unexpected. But the problem was that Universal expected “The Mummy” to make $1 billion and built a whole universe of connected monster movies around it, featuring characters like “Frankenstein.” However, Tom Cruise’s “The Mummy” flopped at the box office, ending the proposed shared movie universe. On the other hand, the original “Mummy” with Brendan Fraser has become more popular and there are now stickers for it!

2025-01-14 03:49