No, Will Smith Will Not Star in New ‘Matrix’ Movie, Despite Cryptic Instagram Post

Will Smith sent Matrix fans into a frenzy on Monday morning (Jan. 6) when he shared an Instagram post that appeared to be teasing his role in the next installment of the popular film franchise.

However, insiders tell The Hollywood Reporter that Smith will not be joining Warner Bros. and director Drew Goddard’s The Matrix 5, which was confirmed to be in development in early 2024.

In his post, Smith revealed how he passed on the starring role of Neo in the original 1999 sci-fi classic, directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski — complete with Matrix-inspired digital font over a black screen that reads: “In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ Smith turned it down,” his Instagram video, written in third-person, reads. “He chose ‘Wild Wild West,’ believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would ‘The Matrix’ have been like with Will Smith as Neo?”

See the post here.

While Smith will not be taking on the role of Keanu Reeve’s leading character, there is a chance that the teaser post is music related. Smith has not released a studio album since 2005, but he’s been teasing a return to music, including dropping a new single, “Work of Art,” which features his son, Jaden Smith, as well as rapper Russ. In April, Smith made a surprise cameo during J. Balvin’s Coachella set, followed by the live debut of his gospel-tinged song “You Can Make It” at June’s BET Awards.

He also discussed an upcoming album — tentatively titled Dance in Your Darkest Moments — in a May 2024 interview, saying, “Over the past year and a half, I’ve been in the studio. I have a project that is the most personal and powerful music project I’ve ever done. The idea of the music is, ‘Dance in your darkest moments.’” In July, Smith signed to Slang Music Group, home to Big Sean, Mira Black, Niki Lynette, Savvy & Mandy and Syleena Johnson.