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.

The Matrix is widely hailed for coming up with the false reality idea, but Roger Ebert preferred Dark City, which did the ...

Will Smith revealed that he turned down the chance to star in one of Christopher Nolan’s most iconic movies because he “didn’t get” the plot. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air actor told British ...

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.

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.

Will Smith shocked fans during a recent interview with radio station Kiss Xtra (via HuffPost) by revealing he turned down the lead role of Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” because he didn’t ...

NEED TO KNOW Will Smith revealed for the first time why he turned down the lead role in Christopher Nolan's 2010 sci-fi heist flick Inception, in an interview with Kiss Xtra "Chris Nolan brought ...

Will Smith announced on Friday, March 14, ... as it featured Smith playing Neo, The Matrix film character he famously turned down to star in Wild Wild West.