What Did Keanu Reeves Think About Will Smith Turning Down The Matrix?
Keanu Reeves is understood for playing a couple of iconic roles in trendy cinema, but possibly none extra so than Neo in The Matrix. The 58-year-old has now starred in every of the four motion pictures in the franchise, together with the most up-to-date iteration: The Matrix Resurrections in 2021.
It is commonplace wisdom this present day, alternatively, that Reeves was no longer the manufacturers’ first option to play the role in the very first Matrix film back in 1999. Will Smith famously refused to tackle the part of Neo, as an alternative choosing to superstar in the sooner or later unsuccessful Wild Wild West. It is a call that the Independence Day actor regrets to this day.
Nicolas Cage, Brad Pitt and Top Gun celebrity Val Kilmer all handed on the opportunity as well, at a time when the creators of The Matrix were not as prominent in the business as they're now.
Those four men’s loss ultimately became Reeves’ achieve, as his efficiency helped the film to smashing ranges of luck.
Unsurprisingly, the Beirut-born superstar is eternally thankful that Smith and co.’s decision gave him the alternative to star in the position of an entire life.
Keanu Reeves Is Thankful To Will Smith For Saying No To ‘The Matrix’
In November last 12 months, Keanu Reeves sat for an interview with Esquire, where he answered all manner of questions about his profession, in addition to his personal existence and pursuits. It was once on this dialog that the John Wick star published his actual feelings about Will Smith pronouncing no to The Matrix, and successfully handing him the career-defining role of Neo.
When asked how he felt about it, Reeves said: “Well, it changed my existence. And it used to be this sort of superb ingenious enjoy. And so as to play Neo in The Matrix trilogy, and now in the fourth, it impacted my existence, in my opinion and creatively.” Then, looking immediately at the digicam – seemingly to deal with his peer – the actor added: “Thank you very a lot.”
The Matrix’s success was immediate and emphatic. Critics gushed with reward for the movie after its unencumber, with Reeves’ efficiency entrance and heart on this in style acclaim.
At the 2000 Academy Awards, the film was once nominated in 4 classes, and won in each and every unmarried considered one of them. Reeves was once nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Actor.
Keanu Reeves Loved The Matrix Script From The First Time He Saw It
While the likes of Will Smith, Brad Pitt and Val Kilmer had been turning down the function of Neo in The Matrix, it was once a case of love at first sight for Keanu Reeves. As soon as he laid his eyes on the movie’s script via the Wachowskis, he knew that he sought after to play the role.
In an old interview with Total Film UK, the actor also disclosed that he already knew in his intestine how big the film would change into. “I did not know the way folks were going to obtain it, however I knew how I did. I used to be absolutely fascinated by it,” he said, whilst also praising the idea that the Wachowskis were having a look to execute.
“The construct… the platform that that they had of reality and what you understand of fact from a science fiction aspect, the concept of the brokers – and then there was kung-fu thrown in! It used to be like, ‘How come nobody else ever thought of this? It's just so best possible!” Reeves added.
What Did Will Smith Think About Keanu Reeves’ Performance As Neo?
While admitting that he carried remorseful about for turning down this kind of mythical position, Will Smith looked as if it would endure no in poor health will in opposition to the man who ultimately were given the honor of taking part in Neo in The Matrix.
The Pursuit of Happyness superstar uploaded a video on his YouTube channel in February 2019, where he expressed his ideas on how Keanu Reeves got along in the section that he turned down.
“Keanu was best. Laurence Fishburne was once absolute best,” Smith stated in the video, additionally praising Reeves’ co-star in the picture. “I almost definitely would have messed The Matrix up. I would have ruined it. So I did y'all a favor.”
On his phase, Reeves was once satisfied that he not most effective got to famous person in the original trilogy, but additionally go back for the reboot in 2021. He shared this sentiment in accordance with a query about what felt the maximum surreal when reprising the persona of Neo these kinds of years later.
“I've by no means had the likelihood to play a role, 15, 16, 17 years later,” Reeves stated in the Esquire interview. “And that is a few of what the film is about. So, this idea of a past and memory, and fiction, and truth, and fact.”
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