Fan Sticks Will Smith Into The Matrix Trailer

Two elements of 90s culture that have certainly stood the time have been the cult-classic film The Matrix and the acting of Will Smith. But, as it turns out, those two things almost came together, with Smith initially being offered the lead role of Neo in the film. The actor turned down the role, going on to star in the infamous remake of Wild Wild West.

But in the years since hearing about Smith being up for the role, many have wondered exactly what his performance in the film could have looked like. And thanks to the Internet, we now have an idea of just that.

Youtuber The Unusual Suspects recently unveiled an alternate version of the film’s trailer, which is cut alongside Smith’s past performances. And we have to say that the end result, which you can watch below, is pretty impressive.

If you’re wondering why Smith ended up turning down the role of Neo, the actor spoke about it in 2014.

“You know, The Matrix is a difficult concept to pitch. In the pitch, I just didn’t see it.” Smith explained. “I watched Keanu’s performance – and very rarely do I say this – but I would have messed it up. I would have absolutely messed up The Matrix. At that point I wasn’t smart enough as an actor to let the movie be. Whereas Keanu was smart enough to just let it be. Let the movie and the director tell the story, and don’t try and perform every moment.”

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The Matrix (1999) – The box-office sensation follows the trials of a young computer programmer (Keanu Reeves) searching to determine the deepest reality of a post-Apocalyptic world. His journey uncovers a web of deceit and massive computer-generated illusions obscuring the truth. As the character Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) said to Neo (Reeves), “No one can be told what The Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.” The same is true for this mind-blowing movie. The film also stars Carrie-Anne Moss and was produced by Joel Silver.

The Matrix was written and directed by Lilly and Lana Wachowski, who spent years nurturing and refining the movie’s breakthrough concepts.