No, Will Smith will not star in “The Matrix 5” despite cryptic teaser

Theories abound after Will Smith shared a cryptic video on Instagram related to The Matrix. But despite speculation among the media and fandoms active on social media, the actor is not involved in the new Matrix movie that's currently in development, Entertainment Weekly can confirm.

On Monday afternoon, Smith's official Instagram page shared a video with a message about how filmmaking sibling duo the Wachowskis once offered him the role of Neo prior to casting Keanu Reeves. Smith ultimately turned down the job to work on Wild Wild West; the message continues, "but the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?"

"Wake up, Will...The Matrix has you..." the message concludes, referring to a scene from the first movie.

Related: The Matrix 5 is in the works with Lana Wachowski as executive producer, Drew Goddard as director

After sharing the video, speculation began about whether this could be the precursor to an announcement about Smith joining the cast of the fifth Matrix movie, which will be written, directed, and produced by Oscar nominee Drew Goddard (The Martian, The Cabin in the Woods). Lana Wachowski, who returned without sister Lilly to direct the most recent entry, 2021's The Matrix Resurrections, will executive produce the franchise's next installment.

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Those theories about Smith, however, are not true. The Hollywood Reporter's film editor, Aaron Couch, was the first to confirm on social media. So, what could it be? Super Bowl commercial, perhaps?

In a 2019 video posted to his YouTube channel, Smith spoke about why he turned down the Neo role in 1999's The Matrix, which would have continued with The Matrix Reloaded (2003), The Matrix Revolutions (2003), and Resurrections. "The Wachowskis, they came in and it was like, they had only done one movie...They came in, and they made a pitch for The Matrix," he says. "As it turns out, they're geniuses, but there's a fine line in a pitch meeting between genius and what I experienced in the meeting."

Related: Will Smith explains why he passed on The Matrix: 'I would have ruined it'

Based on Smith's impression of the Wachowskis' pitch, which he reenacts in the video, it doesn't seem he was all that convinced. "So, I made Wild Wild West," he continued. "I’m not proud of it." (Watch the full video.)

As for the new Matrix movie, which was announced in April 2024, the studio's President of Production said in a statement for the press release, “Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that we all believe would be an incredible way to continue the Matrix world, by both honoring what Lana and Lilly began over 25-years ago and offering a unique perspective based on his own love of the series and characters."

“It is not hyperbole to say The Matrix films changed both cinema and my life," Goddard said. "Lana and Lilly’s exquisite artistry inspires me on a daily basis, and I am beyond grateful for the chance to tell stories in their world.”

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly