The Matrix: 20 Things You Didn't Know
14. Nearly Every Hollywood A-Lister Was Offered The Role Of Neo
It's common knowledge Will Smith was approached for the lead role in The Matrix but he bailed to work on Wild Wild West. (Smith has repeatedly stated this is the biggest mistake in his career.)
But Smith was merely one of many actors who nearly bagged the gig. Tom Cruise was considered but he asked for too much money. Nicholas Cage would've accepted the role but he had family commitments. The directors, Lana and Lily Wachowski envisioned Johnny Depp as Neo but the studio kept pushing for Brad Pitt.
After over a dozen people turned down the role including Mark Walhberg, Ewan McGregor, David Duchovny, and Leonardo DiCaprio, the only one left that was free and could actually understand the story was Keanu Reeves.
The Wachowskis said that the film would've never been made if Reeves said no.