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.
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. Interestingly, Sandra Bullock was also considered for the role, with Warner Bros.
“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.
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.
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.
'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.
Fans would have loved to see the different spin Leonardo DiCaprio could have brought to the character of Neo in The Matrix movies, but sadly that didn't work out. Interestingly, DiCaprio initially agreed to play the role, but later decided to not go ahead with this decision.
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.
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.
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.
While Will Smith clearly has some regrets about turning down The Matrix, he also admits that it was probably the best decision for everybody. Smith thinks the version of The Matrix we got was perfect, and if he had said yes, getting Will Smith as Neo wouldn't have been the only major change we would have seen.
Morpheus tells of the original “the One,” the first person to wake from the Matrix. Because they were the first, they necessarily broke out on their own. Nearly everyone in Zion can trace their freedom directly back to that first mental prison break.
Nicolas Cage was also offered the role, but turned it down due to the fact it was shot in Australia and he didn't want to be away from his family for so long. 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.
Did Keanu Reeves shave his head for the first Matrix?
They filmed all the scenes where Keanu had hair first, then gave him a buzzcut for the scenes filmed on the Nebuchadnezzar sets, then shaved his head (and eyebrows) for the scene where he breaks out of the pod.
Carrie-Anne Moss was 32 when she joined the pantheon of science-fiction film legends. Taking her place alongside Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley and Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor, Moss played Trinity in “The Matrix” (1999), defying gravity with a martial-arts ballet.
Sandra Bullock Was Offered Keanu Reeves' 'The Matrix' Role, Says Producer as Classic Turns 20. Before Keanu Reeves starred as the iconic Neo in the 1999 film The Matrix, producers for the film considered an actress for the role.
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.
Agent Smith being formed from the reminiscences of a previous One would explain why he acts and sounds different from other Agents. Smith would have originated from a human, thus explaining why he is able to engage in conversations with Neo and Morpheus.
The MATRIX refers to the systems and structures in society that keep us bound to the traditional ways of living and working. These systems can include societal norms, cultural expectations, educational institutions, and corporate structures that often prioritize profit over people.
