Samuel L.Jackson and Gary Oldman were also considered for the part, according to the film's composer, Don Davis. There is a bit of conflicting information as to whether or not Sean Connery was offered the role of 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.
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. Jean Reno turned down the role of Agent Smith, as he was unwilling to move to Australia for the shoot.
Indeed, celebrated names were taken in consideration, and Russell Crowe was at the top. Surprisingly, Crowe turned down the role for better opportunities — A Beautiful Mind, Gladiator, and The Insider — which undoubtedly turned out for the best for him.
And just to drive home the fact that very few actors seemed to any faith in The Matrix, Will Smith also turned down the starring role. In 2019, Smith confirmed a long-standing rumour that he rejected the Neo part in favour of a far less adored movie.
Neil Gaiman Saw 1500 Auditions For Morpheus In ‘Sandman’ | Entertainment Weekly
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.
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.
The actor said in 2020 that he had “not been invited” to reprise his role (via New York Magazine). The Matrix: Resurrection's story ultimately made sense of the surprising decision to recast Morpheus, but that doesn't necessarily mean leaving out Fishburne was the right move for the film.
Morpheus died in The Matrix Online, a game that is part of the “Matrix Expanded Universe” and is considered Matrix canon. 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.
'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.
Fishburne, who played Morpheus in the original trilogy opposite Reeves, 58, and Moss, 55, previously spoke to New York Magazine and said he had "not been invited" to reprise his role.
This version of Agent Smith (portrayed by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) was based upon Neo's memories of Morpheus amalgamated with his memories of the original Agent Smith, and was set free by Bugs, and became the new Morpheus.
But the implications are pretty clear: Zion was destroyed and Morpheus was killed because he led as though their struggles were over. As if Neo parleying with the machines and defeating Smith solved all their problems.
Fishburne himself even said in 2021 that he didn't know why he wasn't asked to reprise the role. Though the logic for Morpheus's absence was somewhat explained in Resurrections, many speculated that it was actually because he died in the canonical 2005 video game The Matrix Online.
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.
Carrie-Anne Moss refused to go to extreme lengths to get in shape for her return to The Matrix franchise. The 54-year-old actress was 32 when she wowed fans as Trinity in stunning action sequences in the 1999 science-fiction classic.
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.
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.
The studio has announced plans to continue the franchise, with a fifth Matrix movie now in development. It will be the first installment in the cyber-action film series without either Lana or Lily Wachowski as directors.
Hugo Weaving will not reprise the role of Agent Smith in The Matrix 4 after director Lana Wachowski “pulled the plug” on his return over scheduling concerns. The star told Coming Soon that Wachowski was initially “very keen” for him to be involved with the belated sequel, once again playing the AI antagonist.
