In 1999, the Wachowskis directed The Matrix. The feature film became one of the biggest hits of that year, racking in over $460 million at the box office, winning four Oscars including Best Sound, Film Editing, and Visual Effects, and influencing a whole new generation of filmmakers and fans of action and sci-fi.
During the same year, Will Smith reunited with Men in Black director Barry Sonnenfeld for the sci-fi western Wild Wild West, which received highly negative reviews and flopped at the box office. In fact, Smith turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix to star in the critically panned western adaptation. His decision leaves many spectators wondering why he chose not to take on a role that's now considered iconic in both the sci-fi and action genres.
Will Smith Wasn't Into The Wachowskis' Pitch
On Will Smith's YouTube Channel, the star explains how the Wachowskis (directors and creators of The Matrix) pitched the role of Neo to him for the 1999 feature. The filmmakers told Smith to envision himself as Neo in a fight scene, and that he would do a big jump and stop in midair while cameras all around him capture his jump.
While Smith admits that The Wachowskis are geniuses, although he didn't know it at the time because the directors were up-and-coming filmmakers who only made one movie before hitting it big with The Matrix. However, the actor was not impressed with their pitch, most likely because it primarily focused on the action, camera work, and special effects. The Wachowskis didn't tell Smith anything regarding the storyline, which might have changed the actor's mind to consider thinking about joining their project.
However, the Wachowskis might have thought that explaining the plot would be too complicated for Smith to understand at that moment — after all, The Matrix's story is a cerebral one. They may have thought that setting a scene with a major action sequence and a big stunt was the way to go to convince Will Smith to play Neo. Due to not being impressed by the pitch, along with the fact that he didn't just want to star in more sci-fi films featuring aliens like Independence Day and Men in Black, he passed on Neo and The Matrix to instead star in Wild Wild West. Smith admits he isn't proud of the latter, especially due to its campiness.
Will Smith Thinks He Would Have Ruined The Matrix
Smith also mentions in his video that he believes he would have messed up The Matrix if he ended up starring in the film. Specifically, he thought Keanu Reeves and Lawrence Fishburne were perfect in their roles as Neo and Morpheus, respectively. Smith reveals that if he actually accepted the role of Neo, Morpheus wouldn't have gone to a black man. Instead, the role of Morpheus likely would have gone to Val Kilmer (who was also at one point considered for Neo, along with famous names like Nicolas Cage, Leonardo DiCaprio, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp, and Sandra Bullock).
By not portraying Neo, Smith goes on to say that he did everyone a favor, considering The Matrix has gone on to become a sci-fi action classic. Reeves and Fishburne achieved even greater fame as movie stars due to the box office, critical success, and fan following of the film. Neo and Morpheus have also become such iconic characters that it's hard to envision these roles being played by other actors.
Would Will Smith Have Succeeded In The Role Of Neo?
It's arguable to predict whether The Matrix would have been a success if Smith played Neo. It wouldn't be out of the question considering he already portrayed major characters in sci-fi and action blockbusters, including Detective Mike Lowrey (Bad Boys), fighter pilot Captain Steven Hiller (Independence Day), Agent J (Men in Black) and lawyer Robert Dean (Enemy of the State). However, Reeves' portrayal of Neo was perfect because it was understated, restrained, focused, and well-balanced. This is not to say that Smith is incapable any of those elements, but at that time, his roles generally included substantial humor and an abundance of charisma.
As Neo, Smith most likely would have made the protagonist too flashy or showy for the Wachowskis' taste. He also admits that he wasn't mature enough as an actor during that time in terms of choosing what roles and films to take on. If The Matrix was made a few years later, Smith may have had a higher probability of portraying Neo because, throughout the 2000s and 2010s, the actor started taking on characters in more dramatic films such as I Am Legend; I, Robot; and Suicide Squad. His reputation as a versatile actor could've gotten him the role.
Smith's potential involvement in The Matrix franchise also would've seen him collaborate with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith (who auditioned for the role of Trinity, but eventually portrayed Niobe in The Matrix sequels). Viewing Will and Jada Smith as Neo and Trinity, respectively, would be an interesting dynamic considering their real-life relationship and how their chemistry would be displayed on-screen. Despite being one of the highest-paid and most bankable stars in Hollywood, Smith would have been even more successful if he was a part of the franchise.
Of course, The Matrix will go down in history as one of the best and most influential sci-fi action films ever made, and Will Smith is a versatile actor who can take on a variety of roles in dramas, comedies, and action features (including comic book films). Perhaps the franchise would have been very different if Smith were involved. Perhaps if there are more Matrix sequels in the near future, he can take the red pill and go down the rabbit hole.