Will Smith has turned down several major movie roles over the years, but the one he regrets the most is Neo in The Matrix (1999). Here are some of the biggest roles he passed on:
1. Neo (The Matrix, 1999)
- Smith was offered the lead role but turned it down because he didn’t understand the film’s unique concept.
- Instead, he chose to star in Wild Wild West (1999), which flopped.
- He later admitted that Keanu Reeves was the perfect choice and that he likely would have “messed up” the role.
2. Django (Django Unchained, 2012)
- Quentin Tarantino wanted Smith to play Django, but Smith declined because he felt the role wasn’t the lead and that the revenge plot wasn’t handled the way he wanted.
- The role went to Jamie Foxx, and the film became a massive hit.
3. Superman (Superman Returns, 2006)
- Smith was considered to play Superman but turned it down, saying, “You don’t mess with white people’s heroes.”
- The role went to Brandon Routh, but the movie didn’t lead to a successful franchise.
4. Captain America (Captain America: The First Avenger, 2011)
- Smith was reportedly considered for Steve Rogers but didn’t pursue it.
- The role ultimately went to Chris Evans, who became a fan-favorite in the MCU.
5. Detective Spooner (I, Robot, 2004) – Almost Turned It Down
- He initially wasn’t interested in I, Robot but later took the role and made it a box office success.
Which Regret Hurts the Most?
Will Smith has admitted that The Matrix is his biggest regret. He has a great sense of humor about it, even recreating Neo’s look in social media posts.
Will Smith’s Biggest Regret: Turning Down The Matrix (1999)
Will Smith was originally offered the role of Neo in The Matrix, but he turned it down—something he has since called his biggest career regret.
Why Did He Turn It Down?
- In the late 1990s, the Wachowskis were relatively unknown filmmakers, and their pitch for The Matrix was highly technical and difficult to grasp.
- Smith admitted that when they explained bullet time and the film’s deep philosophical themes, he didn’t understand it and felt unsure about the project.
- Instead, he chose to star in Wild Wild West (1999), which ended up being a major box office flop.
What If Will Smith Had Played Neo?
- If Smith had accepted the role, the cast could have looked very different. Val Kilmer was rumored to be considered for Morpheus instead of Laurence Fishburne.
- Smith later joked that he likely would have “messed it up” and that Keanu Reeves was the perfect choice.
Will Smith’s Thoughts Now
- In a YouTube video, Smith admitted:
“At that point, I wasn’t smart enough as an actor to let the movie be. Keanu was perfect. I would have ruined it.” - He has since recreated iconic scenes from The Matrix on social media as a fun way to acknowledge his mistake.
Did He Ever Work With the Wachowskis?
No, after turning down The Matrix, Smith never worked with the Wachowskis. However, his rejection helped shape one of the greatest sci-fi films ever made.
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