“I don’t freaking get it”: Jada Smith Can Not Believe Her Husband Refused to Play Neo in ‘The Matrix’ and Chose to Do One of His Worst Movie Instead
In Hollywood, one of the most talked-about couples is Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith. They have been married for more than 25 years, and both of them are big names in the entertainment business. Their unorthodox marriage style is something that distinguishes them and also the reason for them being in the limelight often.
One of Hollywood’s most popular and respected actors is Will Smith. He has acted in a variety of movies, including comedies, dramas, and action movies. The Pursuit of Happyness, Ali, Men in Black, Independence Day, and I Am Legend are some of his best-known films. Critics and fans have loved these movies, and they have contributed to Smith’s rise as one of the biggest stars in the world.
Smith reportedly turned down the part of Neo in the hugely successful movie The Matrix in favor of working on a commercial failure and one of his worst films ever. His wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, finds it hard to understand why her husband would give up an opportunity like that.
Will Smith’s decision confused Jada Pinkett Smith
In an interview with Vanity Fair, Jada Pinkett Smith disclosed that she tried out for the part of Trinity in the legendary movie The Matrix, but sadly was rejected. Carrie-Anne Moss was eventually chosen to play the part in the end. But in the sequels, Pinkett Smith was given her own character named Niobe to bring to life.
Pinkett Smith expressed shock when her husband, Will Smith, turned down the chance to play Neo, the movie’s main character. She remembers asking him to accept the part because she thought the action comic book adaptation’s concept was unique and had the potential to be ground-breaking.
Will Smith, though, wasn’t persuaded. Smith said to his wife, “I don’t freaking get it.” Will Smith ended up opting to work on Wild Wild West, one of his worst films, rather than take on the part of Neo.
Keanu Reeves is a fan of Will Smith’s Wild Wild West
Will Smith’s biggest regret is passing up the opportunity to play Neo in The Matrix in favor of Wild Wild West. After Smith declined, Keanu Reeves was chosen to play the lead in The Matrix.
Keanu Reeves, though, stunned many by defending the 1999 Western movie Wild Wild West in an interview with Uproxx. The topic came up when the interviewer cited a video in which Will Smith jokingly remarked that he decided to do Wild Wild West instead of playing Neo in The Matrix because he wanted to take a break from sci-fi movies. Reeves expressed surprise after hearing Smith’s remark because he hadn’t seen the recording. He right away defended Wild Wild West, claiming that he thought it was a good movie.
In agreement, the interviewer said he didn’t think the movie had as bad of a reaction as it had been reported. This view was shared by Reeves, who also expressed his admiration for the production design and the acting of Ted Levine and Kevin Kline. He ended by saying that he really liked the movie.
Source: CheatSheet
