In any case, Smith and Kilmer aren’t the only casting near-misses from those early production days, when the many now-iconic elements of The Matrix were still mere matters of conjecture.

Will Smith Stars in ‘The Matrix’ Parody 27 Years After Rejecting Neo Role. Watch Smith in the music video for "Beautiful Scars," where the actor-rapper finally gets to take the red pill.

While Smith certainly has the acting chops to execute the role, The Matrix was better off without him, as it established Reeves as a star and delivered one of cinema's most influential films.

Laurence Fishburne hasn’t seen Will Smith play Neo in the “Matrix”-inspired music video for Smith’s single “Beautiful Scars” with rapper Big Sean.

When asked if it is true that Smith passed on the role of Neo, which eventually went to Keanu Reeves, in 1999’s “The Matrix,” the actor said, “That was one of my beautiful scars!” ...

Laurence Fishburne hasn’t seen Will Smith play Neo in the “Matrix”-inspired music video for Smith’s single “Beautiful Scars” with rapper Big Sean.