Will Smith explains in a video why he rejected the role of Neo in The Matrix and instead appeared in the sci-fi flop “Wild Wild West.”
Keanu Reeves made his international breakthrough as the main character Neo in The Matrix, one of the most well-known sci-fi films of our time. However, he was not the first choice for the lead role.
Will Smith, whom many know from Men in Black or I Am Legend, was offered the role. However, he declined it due to the quirky concept and instead participated in another sci-fi film that ended up being a major flop.
Here you can see the trailer for the first Matrix film:
The concept of The Matrix sounded too quirky to the actor
On February 13, 2019, Will Smith released a video on YouTube in which he goes into detail about the story behind his rejection of The Matrix.
The actor recounts that in 1998 the Wachowskis approached him. They are the two screenwriters and directors behind the film The Matrix. At that time, they were still relatively unknown, having only made one film before with Bound.
Here you can watch the video where Will Smith explains why he turned down the role of Neo:
The Wachowskis pitched the project of The Matrix to Will Smith. Nowadays, their ideas are considered brilliant, as the actor explains in the video.
But at that time, the actor was not entirely sure if the fine line of genius had already been crossed.
Will Smith acts out the scenario, mimicking the directors who explain to him:
Imagine that you are involved in a fight, and when you jump, imagine that you can stop the jump in the middle of the action.
via YouTube
Will Smith then sits confused in the meeting, only saying: “Can you say that again?”
The two continue. He should then imagine that the audience could look 360 degrees around the character. For this, a novel camera technique would be used… This would still happen during the stopped jump.
Will Smith then decides against The Matrix, as he finds the concept absolutely incomprehensible at that time.
Instead, he makes the sci-fi film Wild Wild West, which turns out to be a massive flop at the box office. “I’m not proud of it,” the actor admits.
In hindsight, the actor regretted his decision, as he told the American site cinemablend.
When asked what advice he would give to his younger self, he replied: “Asshole, why didn’t you do The Matrix?”
In the video, Will Smith, however, seems to be at peace with his decision. Even though he would change his project choice in hindsight, he considers Keanu Reeves the perfect casting for Neo.
Keanu Reeves was in The Matrix and John Wick, but he didn’t get the one role
