The Matrix Almost Starred Will Smith and Val Kilmer — What Happened?

by

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but marvel at how accurately a film like The Matrix, currently streaming on SYFY, seems to predict the future of technology and society. It’s almost unbelievable that such groundbreaking creative decisions might have been influenced by something as seemingly insignificant as a stroke of luck.

Twenty-five years after the groundbreaking 1999 release of the movie, it’s hard to envision anyone other than Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne in their iconic roles as Neo and Morpheus from The Matrix. However, not many people know that Will Smith and the late Val Kilmer were initially considered for these roles.

For More Science Fiction

1. The Color of the Stargate Originally Was Black: Here’s Why They Switched It at the Last Moment

2. The Original Shades of Space Actors Who Cameoed in the 1998 Film & Where to Find Them

3. John Rhys-Davies Discusses His Complete Professor Arturo Idea for a Sliders Reboot

“I would’ve ruined it!” Will Smith explains why he turned down The Matrix

about:blank

Smith readily admits that he failed to seize the opportunity when the Wachowskis, creators and directors of The Matrix, approached him with an intriguing proposal about bullet-time camera work and a chance to collaborate with Kilmer as one of the film’s main actors.

In one of his “Storytime” videos from 2019, Smith humorously recalled that his career seemed unstoppable in the mid-1990s following the success of movies like Independence Day (1996) and Men in Black (1997), which he made under Steven Spielberg’s encouragement. However, Smith added playfully, he was hesitant about working with the Wachowskis who were relatively new directors at that time.

Prior to creating “The Matrix”, the Wachowskis had collaborated on just one film together – the impressive neo-noir thriller titled “Bound” featuring Gina Gershon, Jennifer Tilly, and future “Matrix” actor Joe Pantoliano. Consequently, Smith opted to accept a rival role in the 1999 movie “Wild Wild West”, a production directed by Levinson, which seemed like a much more promising box office success following his massive success alongside Smith in “Men in Black”.

Looking back on it now, the story is “one of those I’m not overly proud of, but it’s accurate. I declined the role in The Matrix” – said Smith, quickly adding that Reeves and Fishburne were ultimately spot-on choices for the roles that the Wachowskis initially considered for himself and Kilmer.

Smith stated that if the roles were reversed, he (as Neo) would have been white, and Val Kilmer would have played Morpheus. He added, ‘Had that happened, I might have ruined The Matrix! I would’ve messed it up for everyone!’

Back in the day when The Matrix was still shrouded in speculation, I’ve learned that some sources suggest Will Smith and Val Kilmer could have played roles beyond their eventual ones. It’s fascinating to think about what might have been if they had taken on other characters! There were several other close calls during pre-production, with many of the film’s now-iconic elements still up in the air at that time.

Madonna initially declined (and later expressed remorse) for the opportunity to portray Trinity, a part eventually brought to life superbly by Carrie-Anne Moss in the original Matrix trilogy and its 2021 sequel, The Matrix Resurrections. Interestingly, Nicolas Cage, Janet Jackson, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Yeoh, and the late Sean Connery were among the stars who allegedly passed up the chance to collaborate with the Wachowskis on a groundbreaking film idea that continues to captivate audiences as a defining sci-fi masterpiece.

Read More

2025-05-07 22:30