Rumors about a ‘Matrix’ reboot or spinoff have been circulating for years. Recently, Will Smith fueled speculation with a social media post hinting that he might take on the role of Neo in the upcoming ‘Matrix’ remake.
On Instagram, Smith shared a brief video with the message: “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ Smith turned it down. He chose ‘Wild Wild West,’ believing it was a better fit for him at the time But the question remains: What would ‘The Matrix’ have been like with Will Smith as Neo?”
The video ended with “Wake up, Will…The Matrix has you…”
It’s not yet clear if the actor is hinting that he will star in a new ‘Matrix’ movie, but his post received attention online.
Last April, Warner Bros. Discovery confirmed that Drew Goddard had been tapped to write and direct a new ‘Matrix’ movie. We still don’t know if this project will be a continuation or a fresh take.
Back in 2019, Smith opened up about turning down the Neo role and admitted that ‘The Matrix’ would’ve been a very different film with him as the lead.
“It’s not like it would’ve been like [the movie we got]. Keanu was perfect. Laurence Fishburne was perfect,” he said. “If I had done it, because I’m Black, Morpheus wouldn’t have been Black, because they were looking at Val Kilmer. I was going to be Neo and Val Kilmer was going to be Morpheus. So I probably woulda messed ‘The Matrix’ up!”
Smith’s Instagram post might’ve excited his fans, but Variety reports that he is not currently attached to the new ‘Matrix’ film. Sources confirmed to Variety that the Oscar-winning actor has not signed on to the project, at least not at this point.
