By the end of 1999, Will Smith was at the top of his game, starring in blockbuster hits like Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black, and Enemy of the State. Just three years prior, he had wrapped up his successful TV series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Everything seemed to be clicking for the now 50-year-old star, but one major decision he made during this period still echoes through Hollywood history—he turned down the role of Neo in The Matrix, a role that would go on to define Keanu Reeves' career and spawn a $1.6 billion trilogy. Instead, Will opted for Wild Wild West.

In a candid and reflective video posted to his YouTube channel on February 13, Will opened up about this pivotal moment in his career. "Alright, this is one of those stories I’m not proud of, but it’s the truth," he admitted. "I did turn down Neo in The Matrix." He went on to explain that at the time, his career was soaring. "It was like whatever I threw the ball, it went in," he recalled. After the massive success of Independence Day, Will was hesitant to take on another alien-themed project, leading him to pass on Men in Black. That decision came after a conversation with Steven Spielberg, who urged him to reconsider. "He was so serious that I was like, 'Alright, he did do Jaws,' so I took his advice," Will shared with a laugh.

Of course, Will eventually agreed to star in Men in Black, which became yet another hit for him. Reflecting on that period, he said, "In that universal energy where nothing can go wrong, the other side comes, and then you can’t do anything right." It was during this rollercoaster ride of success and self-doubt that Will met with the Wachowski siblings to discuss their ambitious sci-fi project, The Matrix. "They did a movie, I think it was called Bound, and they came in with a pitch for The Matrix," he recounted. Despite their eventual success, Will found their initial pitch strange, describing it as a fine line between genius and confusion.

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The Wachowskis' vision included a groundbreaking scene where the protagonist freezes mid-jump, allowing the camera to rotate 360 degrees around them. This effect would later become one of the most iconic moments in cinematic history. But at the time, Will wasn't convinced and instead chose to star in Wild Wild West, a film based on the '60s TV spy western of the same name.

Looking back, Will expressed regret over his decision. "I’m not proud of it," he confessed. "When the movie came out, I was walking around telling people, 'Hey, guys, sorry. Listen, I’m working on Bad Boys 2. Don’t worry about it.'" He also revealed an interesting twist: had he accepted the role, the character of Morpheus, originally played by Laurence Fishburne, would have been cast as a white actor, specifically Val Kilmer. "So I was going to be Neo, and Val Kilmer was going to be Morpheus," Will joked. "I probably would’ve messed The Matrix up. I would’ve ruined it, so I did y’all a favor."

Thanks for the honesty, Will!

What Happened After 'The Matrix'?

Will's career continued to thrive despite the decision to pass on The Matrix. His ability to adapt and reinvent himself has kept him relevant in Hollywood for decades. While Wild Wild West didn't live up to expectations, it didn't stop Will from becoming one of the most bankable stars in the industry. Over the years, he's tackled diverse roles, proving his versatility as an actor. His openness about past decisions, like turning down Neo, showcases his authenticity and willingness to reflect on his journey.