'The Matrix' wouldn't be the same without Keanu Reeves' Neo, but the role came close to several other actors.

Who was first choice for Matrix movie?

The very first name pitched for the role of Neo was Nicolas Cage. But Cage being the family man that he is, quickly turned down the role in the Matrix franchise because he wasn't ready to stay away from his family for an extended production schedule.

Who was the first choice actor for The Matrix?

In 1996, the Wachowskis pitched the role of Neo to Will Smith. Smith explained on his YouTube channel that the idea was for him to be Neo, while Morpheus was to be played by Val Kilmer. He later explained that he did not quite understand the concept and he turned down the role to instead film Wild Wild West.

Who turned down Keanu Reeves' role in The Matrix?

The Big Picture

Brad Pitt passed on playing Neo in The Matrix, opting for Fight Club instead. Will Smith also turned down the role, admitting he would have "messed it up." Despite stars passing on The Matrix, Keanu Reeves's performance as Neo remains iconic.

Who turned down the role of Neo in Matrix?

Will Smith Turned Down Neo in The Matrix to Make the Worst Movie of His Career | Den of Geek.

Keanu Reeves on THE MATRIX

Did Will Smith reject Matrix?

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.

Did Keanu Reeves give his Matrix money away?

Keanu Reeves didn't donate most of his Matrix salary, but he's still the nicest man in Hollywood.

Who was considered for The Matrix?

Who is the real chosen one in The Matrix?

Neo was the “chosen one” both figuratively and in-universe, but the way the Matrix movies deal with the idea of a predestinated hero is quite different from other popular stories like Star Wars. In The Matrix, being The One meant that Neo could perceive the Matrix simulation in a way that no other human could.

Who was asked to star in The Matrix?

Brad Pitt turned it down to star in Fight Club, as did Val Kilmer to star in At First Sight. And Johnny Depp was also close to playing the lead role. In fact, Depp was the Wachowski's first choice, and the studio began to consider him after Pitt and Kilmer turned them down.

Who was the original choice for Morpheus?

Hong Kong star Chow Yun-Fat turned down the role of Morpheus. Other actors considered for Morpheus included Samuel L. Jackson and Gary Oldman. Considering how perfectly Laurence Fishburne fit the part, everything worked out for the best.

Who first broke out of The Matrix?

According to Morpheus, the founder of Zion was the very first person to wake up from the Matrix simulation. Morpheus believed that person to have been the first and only “One,” and that Neo would be the second.

Who was almost cast as Morpheus?

Sean Connery as Morpheus

Besides the role of the Architect, Sean Connery was offered the role of Morpheus. He turned it down because he couldn't understand the material, and the role eventually went to Laurence Fishburne.

Was Johnny Depp in The Matrix?

Keanu Reeves was the filmmakers' second choice, as the role was initially also offered to stars like Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Nic Cage, Val Kilmer, and Brad Pitt, and the majority turned it down because they didn't understand the script. But it wasn't the reason for Depp.

Who turned down playing Neo in the Matrix?

Nicholas Cage also turned down the role due to family obligations, and Val Kilmer, one of the producers' top picks, turned down both the role of Neo and Fishburne's Morpheus. Instead, he worked on the poorly received At First Sight.

Why did Brad Pitt turn down The Matrix?

“Because I really believe it was never mine.” Pitt went on to reveal that he was offered the role of Neo in the 1999 science-fiction thriller The Matrix, which eventually went to Keanu Reeves. “I did pass on The Matrix,” Pitt continued.

Why did Sean Connery turned down The Matrix?

However, the Wachowskis were determined to have Connery in their lineup: for the sequel The Matrix Revolutions, they offered Connery the role of The Architect, which he also turned down. His reasoning was apparently due to not understanding the plot, similarly to Lord of the Rings.

What is Keanu Reeves' ethnicity?

Reeves was born in Beirut, Lebanon, on September 2, 1964, the son of Patricia (née Taylor), a costume designer and performer, and Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. His mother is English, originating from Essex. His American father is from Hawaii, and is of Native Hawaiian, Chinese, English, Irish, and Portuguese descent.

Which sister of Keanu Reeves has leukemia?

Keanu Reeves sister Kim was diagnosed with leukemia (a type of blood cancer). She battled the disease for 10 years before entering remission.

Who was considered to play Neo?

Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage, and Leonardo DiCaprio were approached for the role. Will Smith, who turned down the role to make Wild Wild West, later said he regretted the decision.

Who was the first choice to play Neo?

With The Matrix, it was more interesting as to who didn't take the role versus the fact that Keanu Reeves eventually got the part of Neo. This is not to say that ultimately it was the best choice; Reeves IS Neo. To listen to all of those involved, Johnny Depp was the first choice of the Wachowski's.

Why does Smith look different in Matrix 4?

Jonathan Groff's performance as Agent Smith in The Matrix Resurrections was on point, but the fact that the only reason why Smith had to look different in the film was that Hugo Weaving couldn't return lessened the impact of this reinvented version of the character.