'The Matrix' wouldn't be the same without Keanu Reeves' Neo, but the role came close to several other actors. In fact, 'Pirates of the Caribbean' star Johnny Depp was directors Lilly and Lana Wachowski's first choice, but he turned it down.
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.
Neo wasn't chosen. He was the result of a systemic anomaly. Normally, other anomalies in the past never fell in love with anyone. Hence they chose to pick 23 people from Zion to restart.
Neo had been, at multiple times, presented a choice between two options, with each option having been portrayed to only ever result in a predefined outcome. With Neo always findings ways to decisively negate the unwanted consequences of his actions.
Keanu Reeves Wasn't the First Choice For Neo in 'The Matrix'
Who told Neo he wasn't The One?
The Oracle: “But…you already know what I'm going to tell you.” Neo: “I'm not the One.” This makes it clear that it is Neo who comes to the conclusion that he is not the purported hero of humanity, which allows the Oracle to nudge him gentle on the right path.
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.
If it wasn't for Morpheus locating Neo (The One) in the first place, there wouldn't have been a story at all. What's worse is that it seems Fishburne's exclusion from the film wasn't unavoidable. The actor said in 2020 that he had “not been invited” to reprise his role (via New York Magazine).
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.
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.
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.
“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.
Who turned down the role of Morpheus 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.
Both Jackson and Union-Wade failed to get the role, allowing Salma Hayek, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Sandra Bullock an opportunity to star as the movie's female lead. However, the role of Trinity eventually went to Carrie Ann-Moss, who gave an iconic performance as Neo's protector and love interest.
The Architect then finally gives Neo the two choices. Neo could take the door on his right, which would take him to the Source, or he could take the door on the left, and try to save Trinity, but at the cost of the entire Human race.
Therefore, Morpheus' death could not be ignored in The Matrix Resurrections. As for Agent Smith, Hugo Weaving could not return for The Matrix Resurrections due to scheduling conflicts.
Warner Bros. has officially confirmed the development of "Matrix 5," marking a significant return to the iconic sci-fi franchise. This upcoming installment will be the first without the directing duo, Lana and Lily Wachowski, who have been instrumental in shaping the series since its inception.
Laurence Fishburne, who played Morpheus in the original “Matrix” trilogy, did not return to the franchise for “Resurrections.” Morpheus is long dead during the events of the sequel, but an artificial intelligence based off of the leader (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) does play a major role in the story.
There is also the possibility Morpheus knew Neo to be the one thanks to Neo's extraordinary hacking skills inside the Matrix, as what makes The One special is precisely the ability to bend the Matrix code to their will. It's also important to remember that Morpheus did not know the entire truth about The One.
Is Morpheus good or evil? Morpheus is not depicted in Ovid as being either good or evil. In the "Metamorphoses" he helps Alycone learn that her husband is dead. He does this because he was sent by his father, and as such, this was not depicted as being an ultimately good or evil act.
The name Morpheus itself suggests the Greek god of dreams, whose name literally means “he who forms.” The god Morpheus has the ability to change his own shape and manipulate reality, as well as the power to bewitch other people's minds with dreams and fantasies.
From the very beginning of The Matrix series, Agent Smith determined to only call Neo only by his civilian name, the one given to him by the Matrix before Morpheus helped him see the truth about reality and mankind's plight.
The Matrix cements Neo's fate as the prophesied Chosen One when a kiss from Trinity revives him following his premature death inside the reality simulation.
