Will Smith, the global Hollywood icon best known for his role in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, once had the opportunity to star in the revolutionary sci-fi film The Matrix (1999). Smith’s career trajectory began with comedy, but he swiftly transitioned to becoming a formidable action star. After making his mark with the action-comedy Bad Boys in 1995, he solidified his status with blockbusters like Independence Day (1996) and Men in Black (1997). However, he ultimately passed on portraying Neo, choosing instead to focus on Wild Wild West (1999), which did not fare well at the box office.
Recently, nearly 26 years post-release, a YouTube creator known as KH Studio crafted a trailer that envisions what it might have been like had Smith taken on the role of Neo:
This imaginative trailer employs advanced editing techniques and artificial intelligence to recontextualize Smith’s previous performances, presenting a narrative where he realizes “something is wrong” with reality. The clip climaxes with a visually stunning scene of Smith, as Neo, soaring over a luminous cityscape.
Implications of the Trailer for The Matrix
The Potential of Will Smith as Neo
Smith’s decision to decline the role ultimately stemmed from his desire not to be pigeonholed into the science fiction genre. He was skeptical about the film’s concept, opting instead for a project he hoped would establish him as a versatile actor. Unfortunately, Wild Wild West was a critical and commercial failure, holding a mere 16% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. In retrospect, Smith acknowledged the film’s shortcomings.
The recent trailer suggests that Smith could have successfully navigated the role of Neo, yet it does not unequivocally affirm this theory. Although the 92-second trailer is compelling, it cannot encapsulate the entirety of the Matrix saga. The depiction of Smith via AI deepfake raises questions about how his interpretation of Neo might have differed from Reeves’, who has become synonymous with the character.
Our Perspective on the Will Smith Matrix Trailer
The Right Choice: Keanu Reeves as Neo
While it’s true that Smith may have brought a unique flair to the character of Neo, Keanu Reeves proved to be the ideal casting choice. He successfully redefined his career through this iconic role, propelling The Matrix into cultural significance. The film not only showcased Reeves’ talents as an action star but also transformed into a financial hit, grossing an impressive $460 million worldwide. Hence, it’s clear that sometimes, the best decisions are the ones that don’t need a redo.
Source: KH Studio
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