January 7, 2025: Actor Will Smith has set social media on fire with a cryptic post that had fans buzzing about his potential return to the iconic Matrix franchise. The post led many to believe that the actor might be stepping into the shoes of Neo, the role he famously turned down more than two decades ago.
In his post, Smith shared a provocative line that read, “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix.” He went on to reflect on his decision at the time, “He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time.”
Smith’s nostalgic reference sparked curiosity as he continued, “But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?” The chilling conclusion to the post, “Wake up Will… The Matrix has you…”, left many fans speculating that Smith was about to re-enter the Matrix universe.
However, sources quickly clarified that the actor is not attached to the new Matrix film currently in development at Warner Bros., according to Deadline. Instead, Smith’s cryptic post was a tease for his upcoming music project, marking his long-awaited return to the music industry.
Smith has been away from the music scene for nearly two decades, having last released an album with Lost and Found in 2005. His return to the industry comes after the release of his single “You Can Make It” in June 2024, a gospel-infused hip-hop track featuring Fridayy and the Sunday Service Choir. The announcement came after a significant hiatus, and it seems Smith is gearing up for a major comeback.
His 2005 album featured the hit single “Switch”, which peaked at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100, marking his third and final top 10 hit. Now, with new music in the works, fans are eagerly awaiting what Smith has to offer in his music comeback.
Interestingly, Smith’s post also reflected on his decision to choose Wild Wild West over The Matrix in 1997. Wild Wild West, which was also produced by Warner Bros., was a commercial disappointment, grossing just USD 222 million worldwide against a budget of USD 170 million. Meanwhile, The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves went on to become a massive success, grossing nearly USD 468 million globally and spawning three sequels.
While there is no new casting news regarding the upcoming Matrix film, Warner Bros. is actively working on the next installment, with Drew Goddard – the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of The Martian – handling the script. Lana Wachowski, co-writer and co-director of the original trilogy, will serve as an executive producer.
For now, while Smith may not be returning to the world of the Matrix, his fans are excited for what’s to come with his music. The actor, who has already shown his talents in both acting and music, seems ready to give his fans another taste of his creative journey – and this time, it’s all about the beats.
