The Matrix, a revolutionary science fiction masterpiece that reshaped the genre, propelled Keanu Reeves to global stardom. While the film is renowned for its mind-bending action sequences, the 59-year-old decision to embrace the role of Neo transcended the allure of thrilling scenes.
Actor, Keanu Reeves

Astonishingly, it wasn’t the explosions or gravity-defying stunts that landed his commitment. This begs the question, What exactly compelled Reeves to grace The Matrix with his presence?

Keanu Reeves Immediately Fell In Love With The Matrix Script

Musician, Keanu Reeves
In the vast tapestry of cinematic history, there exist moments when an actor encounters a script that strikes a profound chord. For Keanu Reeves, whose association with scripts runs deep, such a moment arrived with The Matrix.

Within The Matrix, Reeves assumes the role of Thomas Neo Anderson, a skilled computer hacker who undergoes a transformative awakening. Neo unravels the unsettling truth that the world he knows is a sophisticated simulation, an intricate mask crafted by machines to ensnare humanity.

These machines, having seized control of Earth, utilize humans as a power source, their lives sustained as unwitting, captive energy sources.

After being freed from this artificial world by a gang of rebels led by Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne), Neo sets out on a mission to outwit the artificial creations in The Matrix.

He discovers newfound abilities within this digital domain, acquiring superhuman prowess.  Remarkably, it was not the adrenaline-pumping action sequences that initially captivated Reeves, but rather the script itself.
Keanu Reeves as Neo in a still from The Matrix Trilogy

He fondly recollected his first encounter, highlighting the dialogue and profound ideas. The actor revealed in the interview with Empire,
“It was the script, the writing first of all. The way that the characters speak and what they say. I loved the dialogue and the ideas in the piece. I was struck by the storytelling. They [screenwriters-directors, the Wachowski siblings] found a way in a kind of linear journey to tell a non-linear story. It wasn’t what I call a climbing a mountain thing.”
It was the storytelling, the Wachowski siblings’ capacity to craft a non-linear narrative within a linear structure, that left an indelible impression.

Nonetheless, Reeves, often hailed as a thoughtful actor, felt the script’s depth and potential. Beyond the gravity-defying stunts and groundbreaking visuals, it was the intellectual and philosophical bedrock of The Matrix that beckoned him.

However, it’s worth noting that the John Wick star wasn’t the initial choice for The Matrix script, a fascinating twist in the saga of this cinematic masterpiece.

Keanu Reeves Wasn’t The First Choice For Neo In The Matrix

The Matrix star, Keanu Reeves
The Matrix film franchise is unbreakably linked to the Point Break performer portrayal of Neo, the iconic figure who dares to challenge the boundaries of reality.

Yet, it’s a compelling twist of fate to realize that Reeves wasn’t the original choice for this pivotal role. Lana and Lilly Wachowski, the visionary creators, initially envisioned Will Smith as their ideal Neo in the first movie.

They pitched the concept to Smith, but the star of Independence Day found it perplexing and declined the opportunity.

Smith’s decision to decline the role led him to accept a part in Wild Wild West, a decision he has since expressed regret over due to the film’s critical and commercial failure.

The Wachowskis, undeterred, explored several other potential actors, including Nicolas Cage, who had to decline, mentioning family commitments.

In the end, Reeves stepped into Neo’s shoes and delivered a performance that not only defined his career but also brought an unexpected burst of providence to the enduring legacy of the film.