While Will Smith doesn’t currently have a project set for the 2025 movie schedule, that doesn’t mean the man’s not busy. Between his Netflix reunion movie with Michael Bay and the long-gestating I Am Legend 2, things we never thought would happen have become realities on the Academy Award winner’s plate. That pattern is particularly interesting to keep in mind today, as Smith’s social media presence has shared a video related to one of his most infamous passes: the 1999 classic The Matrix.
Oh, we definitely need to talk about what’s going on here, because I’m sure you have the same pressing question I have at the moment: what does this mean? Let's talk it out.
Will Smith’s Matrix Tease Is Mysterious, To Say The Least
By now, a number of cinephiles may be aware of that time Will Smith turned down The Matrix. The King Richard star shared that very story when he posted a cryptic video on social media that seems to be asking, and potentially answering one of the biggest “what if” questions movie fans have asked for decades. Take a look at the full video below, and brace yourself for a little bit of nostalgia:
So we’re supposedly going to see what it would have looked like if Mr. Smith fought Agent Smith in The Matrix. Considering The Matrix 5’s 2024 announcement has us all expecting the first entry in the series not written or directed by Lana and/or Lilly Wachowski, the continuation of one of the best action franchises of all time feels like it’d be ripe for a new lead actor.
However, there’s already some suggestions and evidence that seems to suggest we shouldn’t jump to conclusions just yet. In fact, Will Smith’s “What If…” might not even be a cinematic venture at all. So let’s talk more about a plausible scenario that’s entered the conversation, and why we shouldn’t be expecting any IMAX teasers with Will Smith pulling bullet time moves just yet.
What Will Smith’s Cryptic Matrix Post Reportedly Means
So, with The Matrix 5 on Hollywood’s radar, could we see Will Smith playing his variant of Neo? It honestly doesn’t look like it, and I’m not terribly surprised. Perhaps the major refutation that sank this ship of dreams came from THR’s film editor Aaron Crouch, as he must have done some digging of his own to be able to share this simple rebuttal on X:
Will Smith is not starring in the new Matrix movie.
Well, given this report, I guess I can just file these hopes along with all those previous rumors of low altitude helicopter chases, and various eras of history shown in parallel Matrix worlds. Though I am grateful that this rumor has been dispelled much quicker than all of those other concepts I remember hearing about during the original trilogy’s production.
Kicking Matrix 5 to the metaphorical curb initially could've opened up the more likely scenario of Will Smith possibly doing a Super Bowl ad that centers around his alternate version of Neo. However, according to Deadline, it would seem that this tease is reportedly related to new music that the Fresh Prince icon is releasing.
The trade doesn't provide any specific details on Will Smith's upcoming project. In recent years, the acclaimed entertainer has been steadily working his way back into the music scene, even releasing his first single in two decades, "You Can Make It." His last studio album, Lost and Found, was released in 2005.
I don’t know what exactly we should expect from these new tunes but, considering the Hancock star's talent, I'd say fans could be in for something fresh. For now, we’re going to have to sit tight for more information on what Mr. Smith is putting into the world here. But with the timing seeming to map up, and a Matrix 5 appearance supposedly off the table, fans can now only dream about what Smith's Neo might've been like.
So, to anyone who's ready to follow wherever this Rabbit Hole goes, keep your eyes open for updates. In the meantime, keep yourself entertained by checking out some of Will Smith's best performances.