Will Smith left fans buzzing on Monday when he shared a cryptic Instagram video hinting at a connection to ‘The Matrix’. The post featured a black screen with digital text that read, “In 1997, the Wachowski’s offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. Smith turned it down. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?” Fans immediately speculated if the star might appear in the upcoming fifth installment of the franchise.
However, reports from The Hollywood Reporter have now confirmed that Will Smith will not be the part of ‘The Matrix 5’. Directed by Drew Goddard, the film is already in development and set to continue the iconic franchise without Smith as confirmed earlier in 2024. Fans initially flooded the comment section of his video with excitement, hoping to see Smith and Keanu Reeves share the screen. But it seems the actor’s teaser might be pointing to something else entirely.
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Smith’s video ends with the mysterious line, “Wake up, Will… The Matrix has you…” While it stirred up cyberpunk-themed excitement, insiders believe this teaser is tied to his long-awaited return to music. The actor has hinted at releasing his first album in nearly 20 years, following his 2005 record ‘Lost and Found’. Over the past year, Smith has dropped gospel-inspired tracks like ‘You Can Make It’ and performed at major events including the BET Awards.
Meanwhile, the Wachowski siblings’ groundbreaking 1999 film ‘The Matrix’ continues to hold its place as a cultural phenomenon. Although Will Smith turned down the original offer to play Neo, his decision ultimately paved the way for Keanu Reeves to deliver a career-defining performance. With ‘The Matrix 5’ in the works and Smith’s music comeback on the horizon, fans have plenty to look forward to — just not in the way they initially thought.
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