Will Smith and Keanu Reeves.Photo:Rebecca Sapp/Getty; Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Rebecca Sapp/Getty; Warner Bros/Kobal/Shutterstock
Will Smithsent fans speculating over whether he’ll be entering the world of the Matrix soon.
The actor, 56, shared a cryptic video onInstagramMonday, Jan. 6, that displayed the iconic franchise’s computer type with the following message: “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo inThe Matrix. Smith turned it down. He choseWild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time.”
“But the question remains: What wouldThe Matrixhave been like with Will Smith as Neo?” the text added. “Wake up, Will… The Matrix has you…”
In the comment section, one follower asked, “Is this a hint that you’re gonna be in the next matrix movie?” “Don’t play with me!” wrote another, as someone else commented, “If yall do Keanu and Will in the same movie that will be record breaking crazy.”
PEOPLE can confirm, however, that Smith is currently not involved in the upcomingMatrixreboot.
Smith famously turned downThe Matrixin favor ofWild Wild West.The actorshared his reasoning at the timein a 2019 video essay shared to YouTube.
“They came in and it was like they’d only done one movie, I think it was calledBound," he said at the time of filmmaker sibling duo Lilly and Lana Wachowski. “And they came in and they made a pitch forThe Matrix.As it turns out they’re geniuses. But there’s a fine line between genius and what I experienced in the meeting.”
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In that video, Smith said he left the meeting unimpressed. “So I madeWild Wild West,” he said, admitting in 2019 that he is “not proud” of that movie. However, he did note thatThe Matrixmay not have been such a commercial success had he takenKeanu Reeves' role.
“If I had done it, because I’m Black, then Morpheus wouldn’t have been Black because they were looking atVal Kilmer. I was going to be Neo and Val Kilmer was going to be Morpheus,” he said.Laurence Fishburnefamously played Morpehus in the franchise. “I probably would’ve messedThe Matrixup, I would’ve ruined it. So I did y’all a favor.”
Will Smith on Oct. 3, 2024.Rebecca Sapp/Getty
Rebecca Sapp/Getty
The Matrixfranchise returned in 2021 withThe Matrix Resurrections, its first entry since 2003.
In April 2024, Warner Bros. announced that Drew Goddard (The Martian,The Cabin in the Woods) will write and direct a new movie in the franchise. The new movie will be the first film not to directly involve the Wachowskis, though Lana, 59, is expected to work as an executive producer.
source: people.com
