20 Actors Who Turned Down Major Movie Roles
12. Will Smith - Neo (The Matrix)
Keanu Reeves was a perfect fit for the lead role of The Matrix, and his behind the scenes kindness has made it impossible to even consider anyone else in Neo's shoes. But everything was almost very different.
Originally, the Wachowski's wanted Will Smith in the role. He was hot off Men in Black and the directors, in turn, were ready to make a jump into the big leagues.
Smith says that the pitch of the movie was the reason he turned it down; he was too confused by the whole thing and didn't see the directors' vision. After the movie was released - with Reeves at the helm - Smith has gone on record to say that the project was better off without him since Reeves and Laurence Fishburne were so perfect in their roles.
It must still hurt; instead of making The Matrix, Smith starred in Wild Wild West and suffered his first major box office bomb.