Will Smith recently sent fans into a frenzy with a mysterious social media post that seemed to hint at his involvement in the next ‘Matrix’ movie.

The actor, who famously turned down the role of Neo in the 1999 sci-fi classic, shared a cryptic message that left many wondering if he was finally entering the iconic franchise.

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In his post, Smith reflected on a pivotal moment in his career: “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix’.”

 

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The actor added, “He chose ‘Wild Wild West’, believing it was a better fit for him at the time.” This decision, of course, paved the way for Keanu Reeves to take on the role of Neo, a character that became a pop culture phenomenon.

The post concluded with an intriguing question: “What would ‘The Matrix’ have been like with Will Smith as Neo?” and the ominous line, “Wake up Will… The Matrix has you…” Naturally, fans erupted with speculation about Smith’s potential involvement in the upcoming ‘Matrix’ film.

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However, sources quickly debunked the rumors. According to Deadline, Smith is not a part of the new ‘Matrix’ project. Instead, the tease was a clever nod to his return to the music scene after nearly two decades.

Smith, who hasn’t released an album since 2005’s ‘Lost and Found’, is gearing up for a musical comeback. His last album featured the hit single “Switch,” which reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. In June 2024, Smith dropped his first single in almost 20 years, “You Can Make It,” a gospel-inspired hip-hop track featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir.

The timing of Smith’s cryptic ‘Matrix’-themed post aligns with his efforts to reignite his music career, and it’s clear he hasn’t lost his knack for generating buzz.

Looking back, Smith’s choice to star in ‘Wild Wild West’ instead of ‘The Matrix’ remains one of Hollywood’s most discussed “what-ifs.” The 1999 Western action-comedy, co-starring Kevin Kline and Salma Hayek, was a box office disappointment, earning $222 million against a $170 million budget.

In contrast, ‘The Matrix’ became a global phenomenon, grossing $468 million worldwide and spawning a franchise that has earned nearly $1.8 billion to date.

As for the new ‘Matrix’ film, Warner Bros. has tapped Drew Goddard, the Oscar-nominated writer of ‘The Martian’, to pen the script. Lana Wachowski, co-creator of the original trilogy, is an executive producer.

While details about the cast remain under wraps, the project has already sparked excitement among fans of the franchise.