Summary

Many now massively famous worker were considered to appear in the originalThe Matrixtrilogy , but their participation did not pan out for one reason or another . When the Wachowskis set up out to produce their milestone cyber-terrorist action picture , they considered many different actorsin their mission to find the good possible choice for every fictional character . Some of these names were not as well - known as they are now , and might have been made one of Hollywood ’s biggest stars earlier if they had look inThe Matrix .

Several of the stars who turned down roles inThe Matrixfilmed decidedly big picture show rather , leading to these movies being mockingly compared with the one they could have been in . However , many of them are amazingly gifted and might have bring something to theMatrixfranchise that no one else could . A quality few might have even been serious than the person who was cast — but fans will never have it off for certain , as all the performance inThe Matrixwere more than acceptable .

The Matrix 5 can answer lingering questions and finish storyline such as who the Analyst works for and how Neo and Trinity will remake the Matrix .

Keanu Reeves as Neo in front of a custom background

10Will Smith

Turned down the role of Neo to film Wild Wild West.

The story of howWill Smith turned down toy Neo inThe Matrixis notorious in cinematic history . At the time , Smith had recently achieved far-flung renown withIndependence Day , while the Wachowskis were still small - fourth dimension directors . Smith was a logical selection for a young , groundbreaking action mechanism sci - fi movie give the properties he was known for . However , Smith was unimpressed with the initial delivery forThe Matrixand did not await much to come of it . He turned down the function and the Wachowskis continued their search for the perfect Neo .

Instead , Smith starred inWild Wild West , a generally bad movie that would be constantly hold up as the failure that Smith prefer overThe Matrix . However , when he spoke about his decision in a YouTube picture eld later , Smith did not seem to have any regrets . " [ … ] So I made Wild Wild West,“said Smith ( viaEntertainment Weekly).“I’m not majestic of it . “However , he fully believes that the player who were mold were"perfect,“saying:“So I plausibly would have messed The Matrix up . I would have ruin it , so I did y’ all a favour . "

9Johnny Depp

Lost the role of Neo to Keanu Reeves.

While Depp might have been the first choice , the fact that he was never offered the role of Neo was doubtlessly in the film ’s beneficial interest .

Ironically , Johnny Depp almost act three dissimilar Keanu Reeves roles : Johnny Utah inPoint Break , Jack Traven inSpeed , and Neo inThe Matrix . In the suit ofThe Matrix , Depp was one of the concluding competition after Warner Bros. and the Wachowskis made offering to several other stars that also turn down Neo . According to composer Don Davis , Depp was the Wachowskis ' first choice , while Warner Bros. favored bigger stars .

Davis does not make it completely clear if the Wachowskis were overruled by Warner Bros. when it came to casting Neoor if they eventually change their mind in favor of Reeves . Reeves became known for his signature character of an understated but vastly skilled action Cuban sandwich to the item where no one could suppose anyone else flirt Neo . While Depp might have been the first choice , the fact that he was never offered the theatrical role of Neo was doubtlessly in the motion picture ’s best interest .

Keanu Reeves as Neo from The Matrix with Morpheus and Trinity behind him

8Janet Jackson

Turned down the role of Trinity due to scheduling conflicts.

Davis has this to say about Neo ’s partner in crime:“For Trinity , I think they were in the main looking at less know names for that character . “This may have been true because there are n’t likely to be many stories about lesser - get laid figure being conceive for the role . However , everyone remembers that Janet Jackson was deal to play Trinity . Jackson toldWonderlandthat she spoke with the Wachowskis about star inThe Matrixbut was forced to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts ( viaDigital Spy ) .

The Wachowskis did eventually end up with their less renowned star with Carrie - Anne Moss , who had only made brief appearance in a serial of tv set show and star in some under - the - microwave radar ( generally poorly review ) flick at the time . While Moss is now inextricably relate withThe Matrix , Jackson ’s presence might have made the movie a completely dissimilar cultural touchstone . The actors who did terminate up starring in the originalMatrixtrilogy were well - take but not unexpected ; consume a musical adept as part of the cast would have made it only more interesting .

7Val Kilmer

Turned down the roles of Morpheus & Neo to film At First Sight.

Smith mention in his YouTube video that when he was the first alternative to play Neo , the filmmaker had Val Kilmer in brain as Morpheus . Davis also say that Kilmer change state down the chance to star in the movie , although he gives the belief that theTop Gunactor was considered to play Neo himself . Far Outreported that Kilmer turned down both roles .

It would seem that the Wackowskis and/or Warner Bros. really wanted Kilmer to be inThe Matrix , despite being known for self-important characters like Iceman , rather than the ever - judicious Morpheus or humble Neo . Kilmer chose to star in the romanticistic dramaAt First Sightaround the same time , which was not received well . Seeing how Reeves and Laurence Fishburne were arrant in their respective theatrical role and as a brace , and how Kilmer developed a reputation for being difficult to work with , The Matrixwas lucky that he turned down not one but two role .

6Nicolas Cage

Turned down the role of Neo due to family obligations.

Despite his legion military action function , Nicolas Cage reportedly turn down the role of Neo to be able to spend time with his fellowship ( Far Out ) . As many movies starring Cage are know more for their lead actor than the level itself , Cage funding out was also probably a prosperous falling out for the Wachowskis . While several of the actors who ended up star inThe Matrixwere well notable beforehand , it would have been interesting to see how the movie ’s shock would have been helped or hindered by Cage ’s participation .

give his operation as a history yellowish brown who is a constant expo creature inNational Treasurelater on , Cage might have been estimable for the role of Morpheus as well . However , there is no indication that he was ever considered for this part . John Milton Cage Jr. ’s movies that came out in 1999 are8MMandBringing Out the Dead , to inevitably be overshadowed byThe Matrix .

Neo is one of the most iconic fictitious character in sci - fi moving-picture show history , but some facial expression of his personation hold up much well than others on reflection .

Imagery-from-The-Matrix-Franchise

5Samuel L. Jackson

Was considered to play Morpheus.

Davis also mentioned Samuel L. Jackson as one of the name regard to play Morpheus , which probably would have proven to be an fantabulous cast choice . Jackson has act several persona who are adjust up as an enigmatically knowing but fallible , serious - minded leader . Jackson might have found his Morpheus somewhere between the personas of Mace Windu and Nick Fury(although he had not yet act either character at the time ) .

However , this did not come to extend , with it being unclear whether Jackson was ever formally offer the part of Morpheus . YetFishburne ’s power to bring a friendly streak to Morpheus ' character was call for , and he was always the good choice . Ironically , Fishburne turn down Jackson ’s iconic persona of Jules Winnfield inPulp Fiction . Like with the infamous Smith / Neo story , most people would bear Fishburne to have been disappointed that he was not involved with a milestone flick likePulp Fiction . However , Fishburne annotate on the matter similarly to Smith ( viaCinemaBlend ):

" I turned down Pulp Fiction and I do not regret that decisiveness at all . Do you know why ? Because it ferment out to be the star - making role of Sam Jackson ’s career . That ’s the role that made Sam Jackson a adept . And I contribute to that by staying out of the direction . "

(Will-Smith-as-Chris-Gardner)-and—from-The-Pursuit-of-Happyness-and-(Val-Kilmer-as-Agent-Pryzwarra)-from-Deja-Vu

Custom Image by Yailin Chacon

4Sean Connery

Turned down the role of the Architect.

Muddled reports enounce that Sean Connery was considered for the function of Morpheus at one item or another . Connery actually turned down the role of the Architect inThe Matrix Reloaded , which finally last to Helmut Bakaitis ( SlashFilm ) . Connery ’s decision partially populate in infamy because he also turned downThe Lord of the Ringsaround the same time . While appear in either of these iconic trilogies could have regenerate his career , he stop up starring in a disastrous fizzle .

SlashFilmreporter Chris Evangelista stated:“Passing on yet another blockbuster lead Sean Connery to sign onto a movie that efficaciously finish his career . ”This is the notorious movieThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemen , in which Connery plays Allan Quatermain . If Evangelista is correct , thenmoviegoers might have seen Connery bring to life history more iconic roles before his end if he had taken the role of the Architect(or Gandalf ) and had a near filming experience than he did withLeague .

3Jean Reno

Turned down the role of Agent Smith due to family obligations.

Agent Smith is undeniably one of thegreatest villains in movie story , in no small part because of Hugo Weaving ’s performance . Recasting Morpheus worked while it did n’t with SmithforThe Matrix Resurrection of Christ , part because the fact that it was supposed to be the same quality only further accent that Weaving was not playing him . Yet there was a molding process for the character andsomeone else was first considered to flirt Mr. Anderson ’s greatest adversary .

The French actor Jean Reno was offered the role of Smithbut turned it down for the same understanding Cage turn down Neo : He did not want to spend clip away from his family to trip to Australia and film the movie ( viaMovieWeb ) . Everyone is glad about this now when Weaving ’s performance is one of the best persona of the movies . Still , with an action flick likeMission : Impossibleunder his belt , Reno could have been an excellent addition to theMatrixcast .

2Michelle Yeoh

Turned down the role of Seraph due to other commitments.

It is rare that sports fan of an iconic movie likeThe Matrixwould ever consider anyone else to play their favorite character , but Yeoh would have been striking as Seraph .

The Guardianreported in December 2000 thatMichelle Yeoh was in talks to be star in the twoMatrixsequels following the original in a office originally offered to Jet Li , stating:“Negotiations with Li are said to have broken down because of a wrangle over money . “The reasons for Yeoh not appearing inThe Matrixare hazy , butMovieWebreported that"Yeoh had to turn down the role as she had to devote herself to starring and grow The Touch from her production company . "

It is uncommon that fans of an iconic picture show likeThe Matrixwould ever consider anyone else to spiel their favorite graphic symbol , but Yeoh would have been spectacular as Seraph . It was later substantiate that the role the martial arts icon was look at for was the Exile program serving as the Oracle ’s bodyguard , who was still amazingly played by Collin Chou . Ironically , Yeoh ’s late movie that won her an Oscar for Best Lead Actress is connected toThe Matrix , according to the directors . " The Daniels " said ofEverything Everywhere All at Once(viaSlashFilm ):

The Matrix Poster

The Matrix, directed by the Wachowskis, stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a hacker who discovers that reality is a simulated construct controlled by intelligent machines. Laurence Fishburne and Carrie-Anne Moss co-star as Morpheus and Trinity, who help Neo navigate and ultimately challenge the artificial world. The film blends action, philosophy, and groundbreaking visual effects, establishing itself as a pivotal entry in the science fiction genre.

" This motion picture is 100 pct a response to ' The Matrix , ' plain . We wanted to make our interlingual rendition of it . It was barbaric to be like oh , ' We rent so long that the Wachowskis beat us to it . ' "

The Matrix enfranchisement has made a endure wallop on pop civilisation account , thanks to several iconic scene that substantiate the gist of the total series .

1Sandra Bullock

Turned down the role of Neo due to lack of interest.

At one point , partially due to the difficulty they were having find the right virile actor , the Wachowksis debated exchange the gender of Neo ’s case with Sandra Bullock in mind to play the One . At the time , Bullock had coincidentally just star alongside Reeves inSpeed . She was reportedly sent the script forThe Matrixand inform that they would change the character to a woman if she accepted the use , but was uninterested .

Bullock apparently subsequently regretted turning down Neo , as well as Trinity , who she was also considered to play . However , like many of the thespian who could have been inThe Matrix , Bullock believe that the right hoi polloi landed the function . Bullock toldToday(viaTheWrap):“It was aphrodisiacal and great because of Carrie - Anne and Keanu . ”However , this does not arrest fan from wondering what might have been if different people were cast in the original trilogy .

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Cast

The Matrix , directed by the Wachowskis , star Keanu Reeves as Neo , a drudge who identify that reality is a false conception controlled by intelligent machine . Laurence Fishburne and Carrie - Anne Moss conscientious objector - star as Morpheus and Trinity , who help Neo navigate and ultimately dispute the unreal world . The flick blends action , ism , and groundbreaking visual effects , establish itself as a polar entree in the skill fabrication genre .

Neo , Trinity , and Morpheus preserve to resist the machines ' control and look for for the source of the Matrix .

The Matrix Revolutions is the third installment of the Wachowskis ' famed sci - fi saga . The movie pluck up where the old film " The Matrix Reloaded " left off , with Neo ( Keanu Reeves ) trapped in between the pretense and the existent world . Laurence Fishburne , Carrie - Anne Moss , Hugo Weaving , Monica Bellucci , Jada Pinkett Smith , and Lambert Wilson reprise their roles once again for the threequel .

Headshot Of Keanu Reeves In The Los Angeles Premiere Of Lionsgate’s ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’

Source : Entertainment Weekly , Interview with Don Davis , Digital Spy , Far Out , The Guardian , SlashFilm , TheWrap

Headshot Of Laurence Fishburne

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Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus continue to resist the machines' control and search for the source of the Matrix.

Matrix Revolutions Poster

The Matrix Revolutions is the third installment of the Wachowskis' famous sci-fi saga. The movie picks up where the previous film “The Matrix Reloaded” left off, with Neo (Keanu Reeves) trapped in between the simulation and the real world. Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Monica Bellucci, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lambert Wilson reprise their roles once again for the threequel.

The Matrix