Washington [US], January 7: Will Smith has sparked a flurry of excitement on social media with a cryptic post, leading fans to speculate that he might be joining the next Matrix film. The actor shared a series of intriguing lines referencing the iconic 1999 sci-fi movie, which many believed hinted at him stepping into the role of Neo — a part he famously turned down over two decades ago.
Smith’s post included the line, “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix,” followed by a reflection on his decision to choose Wild Wild West instead, believing it was a better fit at the time. He then asked, “But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?” and ended with the mysterious message, “Wake up Will… The Matrix has you…”
The post generated significant speculation, with many fans wondering if Smith was preparing to return to the Matrix universe. However, sources have clarified that Smith is not involved in the new Matrix project currently in development at Warner Bros., as reported by Deadline. Instead, the tease is linked to his upcoming music project, marking his return to the music industry after nearly two decades.
Smith, who hasn’t released an album since Lost and Found in 2005, is set to release new music for his fans. His last album featured the hit single “Switch,” which reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. In June 2024, Smith released his first single in nearly 20 years, titled “You Can Make It,” a gospel hip-hop track featuring singer Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir.
Interestingly, Wild Wild West, which Smith chose over The Matrix, was a commercial disappointment, grossing just USD 222 million worldwide against a production budget of USD 170 million. The film, produced by Warner Bros. like The Matrix, starred Smith alongside Kevin Kline and Salma Hayek in a Western action comedy.
Meanwhile, The Matrix franchise, starring Keanu Reeves as Neo, became a massive success, grossing nearly USD 468 million globally and spawning three sequels, contributing to a total franchise revenue of USD 1.79 billion. Warner Bros. is currently working on a new Matrix film, with Drew Goddard, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of The Martian, handling the script. Lana Wachowski, co-writer and co-director of the original trilogy, is on board as an executive producer, but no casting details have been revealed yet.