SUICIDE SQUAD Star Will Smith Shares Cryptic Social Media Post - Has He Joined THE MATRIX Reboot As Neo?

SUICIDE SQUAD Star Will Smith Shares Cryptic Social Media Post - Has He Joined THE MATRIX Reboot As Neo?

We appreciate what a bonkers headline that is, but yes, Suicide Squad star Will Smith has just shared an Instagram post strongly hinting that he'll get a second chance at playing The Matrix's Neo...

By JoshWilding - Jan 06, 2025 04:01 PM EST
Filed Under: Matrix
Source: SFFGazette.com

Last April, Warner Bros. Discovery announced that Drew Goddard had been tapped to write and direct a new Matrix movie. Rumours of a reboot or spin-off have persisted for years, and while we don't know which category this project will fall into, the news excited fans of the franchise.

Goddard, best known for writing The Martian and directing The Cabin in the Woods (he also worked on Daredevil and Sony Pictures unmade Sinister Six movie), will be joined by franchise co-creator Lana Wachowski as executive producer.

Today, the question on everyone's lips is whether the movie will star Will Smith...as Neo?!

The Oscar-winner famously passed on the role to instead star in Wild Wild West. As a result, Keanu Reeves was cast as the iconic character and the rest, as they say, is history. However, a reboot could change things (and, hey, that's still a better idea than another sequel after the last three disappointing efforts). 

On Instagram - via SFFGazette.com - Smith shared a brief video with a message reading, "In 1997, the Wachowskis 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?"

It concluded by saying, "Wake up, Will...The Matrix has you..."

Whether this is the actor teasing his casting in a new Matrix movie remains to be seen, but it's generating plenty of interest online. Talking in 2019, Smith acknowledged that, had he been cast as Neo, the 1999 classic would have been vastly different.

"It’s not like it would’ve been like [the movie we got]. Keanu was perfect. Laurence Fishburne was perfect," he said. "If I had done it, because I’m Black, Morpheus wouldn’t have been Black, because they were looking at Val Kilmer. I was going to be Neo and Val Kilmer was going to be Morpheus. So I probably woulda messed The Matrix up!"

The Matrix was released in 1999 to widespread acclaim, with The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions following in 2003. They didn't receive anywhere near as warm a response as the original, and Lana returned to the property (minus Lilly) in 2021 for The Matrix Resurrections

"It is not hyperbole to say The Matrix films changed both cinema and my life," Goddard said of the reboot. "Lana and Lilly’s exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world."

Check out Smith's post below.

THE MATRIX: It Seems Will Smith Won't Be Taking The Red Pill As The New Neo After All
Related:

THE MATRIX: It Seems Will Smith Won't Be Taking The Red Pill As The New Neo After All

THE MATRIX Movie In The Works From Drew Goddard - Is He Out Of The Running To Direct SPIDER-MAN 4?
Recommended For You:

THE MATRIX Movie In The Works From Drew Goddard - Is He Out Of The Running To Direct SPIDER-MAN 4?

DISCLAIMER: As a user generated site and platform, ComicBookMovie.com is protected under the DMCA (Digital Millenium Copyright Act) and "Safe Harbor" provisions.

This post was submitted by a user who has agreed to our Terms of Service and Community Guidelines. ComicBookMovie.com will disable users who knowingly commit plagiarism, piracy, trademark or copyright infringement. Please CONTACT US for expeditious removal of copyrighted/trademarked content. CLICK HERE to learn more about our copyright and trademark policies.

Note that ComicBookMovie.com, and/or the user who contributed this post, may earn commissions or revenue through clicks or purchases made through any third-party links contained within the content above.

1 2 3
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 1/6/2025, 4:37 PM
Reboot?....LMFAOOOOOO! Good Luck.
kg8817
kg8817 - 1/6/2025, 5:25 PM
@BlackStar25 - guaranteed this is for a Super Bowl Commercial. Relax everyone.
TheFinestSmack
TheFinestSmack - 1/6/2025, 9:28 PM
@kg8817 - that's exactly what this is
DrDReturns
DrDReturns - 1/6/2025, 11:46 PM
@BlackStar25 - Also, Will Smith? Good luck! ;-)
HeavyMetal4Life
HeavyMetal4Life - 1/6/2025, 4:38 PM
Please no. Resurrections was terrible enough, don't need another Matrix movie. The first one is golden and can never be topped.
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/6/2025, 5:02 PM
@HeavyMetal4Life - each sequel of Mtrix dilute even more the magic of original....you can say its a metaphor of transgen....of shit....o.o
HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 1/6/2025, 5:25 PM
@Malatrova15 - User Comment Image
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 1/6/2025, 7:33 PM
@Malatrova15 -

User Comment Image
Malatrova15
Malatrova15 - 1/6/2025, 8:36 PM
@Nomis929 - hmm ues..why? Is the common rite of passage in any inner city.
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 1/7/2025, 5:26 AM
@Nomis929 - Ever seen a grown man naked?
Nomis929
Nomis929 - 1/7/2025, 12:33 PM
@AgentofSH1ELD -

User Comment Image
AgentofSH1ELD
AgentofSH1ELD - 1/7/2025, 1:30 PM
@Nomis929 - that was pretty much the look on my face when I thought of will smith as Neo...
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 1/6/2025, 4:41 PM
If this is for real, I'm [frick]ing excited.

I mean the last Matrix movie was a [frick]ing disaster, but when it comes to action movies, Will does not disappoint, so I believe this will be a good one if it happens.

For [frick]s Sake.
kg8817
kg8817 - 1/6/2025, 5:25 PM
@THEKENDOMAN - guaranteed this is for a Super Bowl Commercial.
AnEye
AnEye - 1/6/2025, 5:36 PM
@kg8817 - LMFAO holy shit I think you're right.

BUT

Why use a different color for the PC font? Original is green and this was orange.....
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 1/6/2025, 5:37 PM
@kg8817 - FUCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCK. Why the hell did you post this?

FOR [frick]S SAKE!!
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/6/2025, 6:09 PM
@THEKENDOMAN - Will Smith is almost 60
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 1/6/2025, 7:36 PM
@McMurdo - Come on, when has that stopped CGI??
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 1/6/2025, 7:37 PM
@McMurdo— You just had to send this, didn't you? You Could have allowed me to drown in the moment of possibility.

For [frick]s sake.
McMurdo
McMurdo - 1/6/2025, 8:15 PM
@THEKENDOMAN - dodged a bullet if you ask me.
THEKENDOMAN
THEKENDOMAN - 1/6/2025, 8:30 PM
@McMurdo - 😂😏
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 1/6/2025, 4:43 PM
Maybe it's set in The Matrix universe, but not necessary live-action.

Time will tell. But Will Smith definitely could add some new breath to the IP.

User Comment Image
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 1/6/2025, 4:56 PM
@NinnesMBC - Goddard quote makes me think it’s set in the same universe and not a reboot.
NinnesMBC
NinnesMBC - 1/6/2025, 5:27 PM
@TheVisionary25 - I see. Then it's probably a case similar to The Bourne Identity: Legacy that introduced a new protagonist in Jeremy Renner as Aaron Cross. It could work.
Floke
Floke - 1/6/2025, 4:44 PM
The Matrix reboot with Will Smith...

Hahaha, good one! Such a stupid joke...
It is a joke right? Right...? Please tell me this is a joke... please...

Seriously, have they gone insane? Are they on crack?
User Comment Image

HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 1/6/2025, 4:44 PM
User Comment Image
Nolanite
Nolanite - 1/6/2025, 7:41 PM
@HashTagSwagg - you win today Sir.
RegularPoochie
RegularPoochie - 1/7/2025, 2:22 AM
@HashTagSwagg - User Comment Image
harryba11zack
harryba11zack - 1/6/2025, 4:46 PM
the franchise needs a good phucking slap
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 1/6/2025, 4:48 PM
First off, you're an ass to dismiss the last three Matrix films. They got deeper and deeper into all kinds of philosophy and I'm sorry you and the general public were too stupid to get it. They're all solid-to great films in their own right.
It's like back in the 80s when people would b1tch about Back to the Future II. "I just couldn't understand it or know where and when they are. Plus, two Michael J. Fox's and two Dr. Browns, then a letter sent from 1885? I just didn't get it man."
F***ing retards.

This needs to be a spinoff because the world of the Matrix is vast and highly unexplored. For Will "the slapper" Smith to be NEO is a disgrace to Keanu's efforts.

Take the story away from the original characters and show other areas of the Matrix people are fighting back. Sure, let Will Smith be a superbeing similar to Neo. But DON'T MAKE HIM NEO. We don't need that regurgitated crap.
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 1/6/2025, 5:10 PM
@lazlodaytona - I actually loved Resurrections, rewatched it last week and it's still great.
It's not the crowd pleasing Matrix 4 people wanted, but do we really need more reboots/sequels that are just continuations of an era that is already passed?
bobevanz
bobevanz - 1/6/2025, 6:42 PM
@Usernametaken - STILL GREAT? mother of god..
SouthernNeo
SouthernNeo - 1/6/2025, 10:34 PM
@lazlodaytona - Totally agree. Hell IMHO Matrix Reloaded is "worthy sequel" quality up there with Aliens or T2. It enhances the storyline & character development. Revolutions had issues but still a great 3rd chapter.
SATW42
SATW42 - 1/7/2025, 9:00 AM
@Usernametaken - yeahup, it's actually really good for the story the creator wanted to tell.

IMO, lana successfully did what Phillips spectacularly failed at with Joker 2
SATW42
SATW42 - 1/7/2025, 9:02 AM
@SouthernNeo - Revolutions has alot of issues, but the scene with Smith and the Oracle and the final talk/showdown between Smith and Neo are really freakin great
Usernametaken
Usernametaken - 1/7/2025, 12:23 PM
@SATW42 - I haven't seen Joker 2, but I get what you mean.
HenrySwanson
HenrySwanson - 1/6/2025, 4:48 PM
“Goodbye… Mr. Anderson…”

“Aw, HELL NAH”
PC04
PC04 - 1/6/2025, 4:48 PM
Ironically this should be the franchise that does well with a "REBOOT". This however does not seem like a good idea.
lazlodaytona
lazlodaytona - 1/6/2025, 7:23 PM
@PC04 - agreed ... To an accent
1 2 3

Please log in to post comments.

Don't have an account?
Please Register.

View Recorder