The Matrix: 7 Actors Who Almost Played Neo Before Keanu Reeves (#2 Would’ve Completely Changed the Role)

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The Matrix is a huge success, both in science fiction and in film generally, and it’s hard to imagine the franchise without Keanu Reeves today. However, Reeves wasn’t the first choice for the lead role. The directors, the Wachowskis, and Warner Bros. considered many other actors first. While he wasn’t an obvious fit at the time, Reeves ultimately proved perfect. He brought a subtle charm, the physical ability for the action sequences, and, crucially, the ability to portray Neo as a relatable, everyday person facing extraordinary circumstances. Once he signed on, the film truly found its direction.

The role of Neo became incredibly famous, shaping the entire Matrix franchise since its beginning in 1999, so it’s natural to wonder who else could have played him. The actors considered give us a fascinating look at how Hollywood initially envisioned the movie before it became the cultural phenomenon we know today. Here are 7 actors who were considered for, or even offered, the part before Keanu Reeves was cast.

7) Will Smith

When the filmmakers were casting for Neo in The Matrix, Will Smith was a top contender – and it’s not hard to see why the studio was so eager to have him. By the late 1990s, he consistently drew large audiences to theaters, as demonstrated by hits like Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black, and Enemy of the State. Having such a popular star lead a potential new franchise made the project seem like a safer bet. However, Smith has said he didn’t fully grasp the movie’s concept when he first read the script. Even an explanation of the now-famous bullet-time effect didn’t change his mind, and he ultimately decided to star in Wild Wild West instead.

It’s difficult to picture Will Smith convincingly portraying that detached, almost dreamlike quality, even considering his past roles in quieter characters. Had Smith been cast, the Matrix would likely have felt very different. The hero, instead of being a thoughtful, brooding figure like Keanu Reeves, would probably have been instantly likable and full of energy. The film would have focused more on cool action than deep philosophical questions. It wouldn’t have been a bad movie, just a fundamentally different one – less weird and unsettling, though some might say those qualities were its strengths.

6) Val Kilmer

It always seems a bit surprising to hear Val Kilmer was considered for The Matrix, but it actually highlights how unsure the studio was about the film’s direction early on. Had Kilmer played Neo, he would have likely portrayed a more reserved and stoic character – he often plays roles with an unreadable quality. This would have been a problem because Neo needs to appear vulnerable and confused at the start of the story, and Kilmer doesn’t really convey that kind of lostness.

The situation is complicated because it’s unclear exactly how casting decisions unfolded. Val Kilmer was also considered for the role of Morpheus, depending on whether Will Smith would play Neo. Some believe Kilmer turned down both roles because he was interested in a different project. However, it’s likely a version of the story starring Kilmer would have presented a much colder and less motivating relationship between Morpheus and Neo. This is because Kilmer doesn’t naturally convey the vulnerability needed to make that mentor-student dynamic work, resulting in a more rigid and less captivating character.

5) Nicolas Cage

Nicolas Cage would have taken the role of Neo in a drastically different direction than Keanu Reeves. He’s known for bringing an unpredictable, intensely emotional energy to his performances, even when the script doesn’t call for it. Unlike Reeves, Cage wouldn’t have portrayed a subdued Thomas Anderson; his Neo would likely have been much more dramatic and emotionally unstable, prone to deeper existential crises. He tends to choose unique and unconventional characters, and would have played Neo as someone already struggling before meeting Morpheus.

The idea is compelling because it would create a uniquely unsettling experience. Seeing The Matrix through Nicolas Cage’s eyes would be incredibly disorienting, and his performance alone would dramatically change the movie’s overall feel. However, it would fundamentally alter Neo’s character development. Instead of evolving into chaos, he’d begin the story already consumed by it. The film would shift from a story of transformation to one of explosive self-destruction. While potentially interesting, it’s unlikely this version would be better than the original. Ultimately, Cage declined the role due to personal commitments, as he didn’t want to be away from his family for an extended period filming in Australia.

4) Brad Pitt

It’s easy to imagine Brad Pitt as Neo, considering his huge success in the 90s with films like Interview with the Vampire, Se7en, Fight Club, and 12 Monkeys. However, he apparently turned down the role because he didn’t think it suited him, and that seems like a very insightful decision. Pitt naturally commands attention as a movie star, which works best for characters who make a strong first impression. The Matrix, on the other hand, needed an actor who could blend into the background until the story really took off. Casting Pitt would have diminished the impact of the film’s beginning.

He also possesses a natural charisma that would have likely steered the story toward a more sarcastic tone, which doesn’t quite fit the thoughtful, inward-looking atmosphere The Matrix needed. His take on Neo would have been more conventionally “cool” and “polished,” potentially making the film feel less original. Pitt has also mentioned the role was only offered to him once, leading him to believe it wasn’t the right fit. Ultimately, with him as the lead, The Matrix might have been a successful blockbuster, but it probably wouldn’t have become the groundbreaking sci-fi classic it is today.

3) Leonardo DiCaprio

Leonardo DiCaprio was a major star in the 1990s and was almost cast as Neo in The Matrix. However, he turned down the role because he felt overwhelmed by another visually demanding project so soon after Titanic, and was generally tired of large-scale films. In retrospect, it was a good decision. DiCaprio is known for portraying characters with inner turmoil and vulnerability, which wouldn’t have suited the cool, controlled nature of Neo. His intense acting style would have likely turned the character into someone dramatically different, shifting the film’s focus away from its signature blend of action and calculated detachment – similar to what might have happened if Nicolas Cage had taken the role.

Another important issue is that Leonardo DiCaprio doesn’t come across as an average person, which weakens the start of Neo’s story. It’s difficult to imagine someone with his inherent charisma fitting into a mundane office setting. Neo needs to gradually become a legendary figure, but DiCaprio already possesses that aura. The movie focuses on Neo’s personal journey and transformation, not just the action, and casting DiCaprio would alter that crucial development – likely in a negative way.

2) Sandra Bullock

It’s surprising to many that The Matrix could have starred a female lead instead of Keanu Reeves. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has revealed the studio seriously considered rewriting the script with a female protagonist, even approaching Sandra Bullock for the role. They were eager to find a lead actor, and Bullock was a strong contender. However, talks didn’t progress, reportedly because she wasn’t interested. Had she accepted, the dynamic between the lead character and both Morpheus and Trinity would have been dramatically different, fundamentally altering the film.

Sandra Bullock would have brought a warmth and relatability to the role that Keanu Reeves didn’t, giving the story a very different feel. With her as the lead, the character wouldn’t have seemed like a distant, unwilling hero, but someone more approachable and understanding. Plus, casting Bullock would have resulted in a rare female-led blockbuster, potentially sparking a much bigger conversation about the film and its place in pop culture. Ultimately, she was the one choice that could have dramatically altered how the movie was received and remembered.

1) Johnny Depp

It’s surprising to learn Johnny Depp was the Wachowskis’ first choice for the role of Neo! Looking back at his career in the ’90s, it actually makes a lot of sense. Like Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, Depp was a huge star at the time, known for films like Edward Scissorhands, Sleepy Hollow, Donnie Brasco, and Ed Wood. What’s really interesting about his work is that he was becoming known for playing unusual, thoughtful characters who often felt like outsiders. Since Hollywood didn’t know what The Matrix would become, Depp seemed like a natural fit for a lead character existing between different realities. He would have likely brought a more subtle and believable sense of alienation to the role.

It’s never been officially stated why the actor wasn’t cast as Neo, but he was offered the part. The studio ultimately decided against him, and that was a major factor. If he had played Neo, the character likely would have been different – less of a traditional hero and more of a complex, brooding anti-hero with a mysterious quality. He could have emphasized the philosophical and psychic aspects of Neo’s story, potentially making the Matrix even stranger and more unusual, portraying Neo as more vulnerable and artistic. While he shares some similarities with Keanu Reeves, it’s impossible to know if his version would have resonated with audiences in the same way and turned the film into the cultural icon it became.

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2025-11-18 00:16