The Matrix: 20 Things You Didn't Know

20. TONS Of People Almost Played Morpheus

Laurence Fishburne feels so perfect as Morpheus, it's difficult to picture anyone else doing the role of Neo's bespectacled mentor half as well. But Fishburne was far from the first choice.

Although the rumours that Sean Connery was offered the role are unfounded, there were many Hollywood stars considered including Christopher Walken, Samuel L. Jackson, Val Kilmer, Chow Yun-Fat, Gary Oldman, and Tommy Lee Jones. Russell Crowe read for the part but gave up after 42 pages, stating "I just didn't get it".

One of the reasons Fishburne won the role was because he was among the few actors who could follow the story.

In his opinion, he didn't find the plot difficult to understand but still doubted the film would get made because it was "too smart".