8 Russell Crowe as Morpheus 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.
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.
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.
'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.
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.
Denzel Washington Regrets Turning Down David Fincher's Se7en
Washington answered by saying that he had turned down the role of Detective Mills in Se7en, David Fincher's 1995 dark mystery, and that Brad Pitt was later offered the part instead.
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.
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.
Because, Laurence Fishburne refused to take part in the film. In the storyline, there were reboots and changes. Every generation of Matrix and its characters always goes through changes. The actor Laurence Fishburne stated that the preparation and training for the role of Morpheus was grueling and exhausting.
The recasting of the role is seemingly deliberate, given that not only was Fishburne not asked to return, but that the role was filled by a much younger actor in Abdul-Mateen II.
However, neither Neo nor Morpheus knew the whole truth – that The One was part of an endless loop set in motion by the machines themselves. It was thanks to this cycle that Neo became the one, having be predestined to do so.
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.
Michelle Pfeiffer turned down an offer to reprise her role as Catwoman. Michelle Pfeiffer was attached to play Roxie Hart at one point. Michelle turned down the part of the White Witch. Pfeiffer was one of the actresses briefly considered for the role of Breathless.
The film Seven directed by David Fincher explores the seven deadly sins, with each sin represented through gruesome murders. The "Sloth" sin in the movie is the most disturbing and sadistic death, involving a victim who is left strapped to a bed for a year and slowly starved to death.
Taunting the detective, Doe reveals that he has killed Mills' wife, Tracy (and their unborn child), as he envied Mills' normal life. Detective Mills then kills Doe, making Doe the sixth victim (representing envy) and ensuring Mills becomes the embodiment of the final sin (wrath).
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.
“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.
It was someone else's,” he explained. After Pitt turned down the role, Leonardo DiCaprio accepted the role before stepping away because he felt hesitant to star in a visual-effects-laden blockbuster straight after Titanic.
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.
