Today it’s considered to be a classic sci-fi and action film, so it’s kind of hard to believe that when The Matrix was being put together the filmmakers behind it had a difficult time putting together the cast.
Several high profile actors turned down starring in it.
We can add Brad Pitt to the list of stars who said “no” to the then Wachowski brothers. In an interview with USA Today he revealed that he was asked to suit up for it over 20 years ago.
“I did pass on The Matrix. I took the red pill. That’s the only one I’m naming … I wasn’t offered two or three. Only the first one. Just to clarify that. I come from a place, maybe it’s my upbringing, if I didn’t get it, then it wasn’t mine. I really believe [the role] was never mine. It’s not mine. It was someone else’s and they go and make it. I really do believe in that.”
It’s not that big a surprise that he turned down the role. Pitt has never been an actor interested in high profile franchises and has spent a lot of time carving out a career in which he concentrates more on quirky characters and working with great filmmakers such as David Fincher and Quentin Tarantino.
The only true franchise that he’s been a part of are the Ocean’s 11 films. World War Z was his only real attempt at a blockbuster type series, but the promised sequel has still yet to come.
But as mentioned, many actors turned down The Matrix before Keanu Reeves signed on the dotted line.
Will Smith, Sean Connery, Johnny Depp, and Leonardo DiCaprio all turned down roles in the film.
They were having such a hard time casting someone to play Neo that at one point the role was offered to Sandra Bullock with the idea that if she accepted it they would rewrite the script to make the character female. Which wouldn’t be too hard to believe considering that the Wachowski brothers both gender-swapped themselves in real life.
The Matrix 4 is currently in pre-production and expected to start shooting soon with Lana Wachowski returning as director and co-writer.
