It's no secret that missing out on the chance to play Neo –one of the most iconic movie characters of our generation—is one of the biggest regrets of Will Smith's career—well, you know…aside from that other thing. Although the rumor was swirling around Hollywood for years, in February 2019, he released an official statement via a YouTube video, in which he openly expressed his disappointment with his decision. Recently, he even went as far as to use it as the concept for one of his recent music videos, an angle that earned him praise among fans and garnered the video over 6 million views.
It begged the question: In an alternate universe where Will Smith turned down the western blunder Wild Wild West and accepted the lead role in The Matrix, what could that have looked like? Let’s talk about that.
Will Smith Would Have Paved A New Way As Neo
Will Smith is an actor known for his versatility: He made a name for himself in the world of comedy in The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, before branching off into more intense, dramatic movie roles like 1993's Six Degrees of Seperation and eventually making a name for himself as an action star with films like Bad Boys.
One look at Will Smith’s 35-year filmography, and you’ll find a chemistry that makes him the legendary leading man that he is today. His expertly curated blend of quick-witted charm, dramatic intensity, and cheeky banter is what garnered him critical acclaim in films like Men In Black, Independence Day, and I Am Legend, undoubtedly some of the most iconic roles of his career.
There’s no doubt that if Will Smith were given the chance to play Neo, he would have approached the role with a similar style and flair, adding a contrasting touch of warmth, humor, and wit to Keanu Reeves’ intense, stoic approach to the role.
With Will Smith as Neo, we could have expected to see punchy one-liners and swagger similar to his portrayal of the smooth, gun-toting Miami Detective Mike Lowrey from the Bad Boys franchise. However, so as not to tamper with The Matrix’s gritty mood and tone, Smith’s style of humor would’ve been best used tactfully: adding comic relief to the dark undertones, thrills, and suspense Matrix fans have come to know and love (a technique that was used more and more as the franchise progressed.)
At the same time, while Smith is famous for his sharp tongue and comedic timing, when it comes to being a bad-ass, gun-toting action star, your boy is no slouch. No doubt he would have been able to hold his own in a one-on-one fight with co-star Laurence Fishburne, keeping up in style and skill and handling martial arts training masterfully, as evident in his preparation for the award-winning film Ali.
Being outnumbered in corporate buildings and having shootouts on rooftops with agents would be a piece of cake, as evident in films like Suicide Squad, especially with a co-star like Carrie-Anne Moss by his side. Hopefully, a change in love interest wouldn’t affect the chemistry between the leading stars, a chemistry that makes Trinity and Neo one of the greatest couples in sci-fi cinema history.
How Will Smith’s Presence Could Have Affected The Success of The Matrix
Will Smith is no stranger to being a leading man and has already proven that he can carry an action franchise. Now, when it comes to dystopian sci-fi films, that’s up for debate. His sci-fi thriller I, Robot was released with mixed reviews and was never greenlit for a sequel, while his other attempts at sci-fi action fell flat altogether (i.e, Bright and After Earth.) It’s possible that his lack of experience could be used against him in this case, but considering his scope of work, tenacity, and versatility, it would have been worth a shot.
All this considered, the success or failure of the film would have undoubtedly come down to how Smith's role contributed to the big picture and whether or not his on-screen chemistry would have compared to the same movie magic we got from Reeves and his co-stars. Too bad we'll never know, but hey! If ever we feel the need to scratch that itch, we'll always have Beautiful Scars.