Will Smith and Keanu Reeves are both actors who have displayed their talent in the most unique and outstanding ways. Their ability to bring life to even the most confusing roles can always give an idea of just how incredible and talented the two individuals are. Even if a role seems doubtful in the eyes of the audience, these two actors will prove the world wrong with their powerful performances.
Both of them have done some big movies and roles that have been highly regarded and respected throughout the Hollywood industry. However, there could have been a case that would have changed a couple of things for the actors. The world truly has to be grateful to Will Smith for backing away from The Matrix.
Will Smith Asked To Play Neo In The Matrix Before Keanu Reeves
Keanu Reeves created an entirely new fanbase for himself when he grabbed the role of Neo in The Matrix. Not only did the movie, but his character managed to impact the world in an incredibly mystifying way. The way the franchise expanded was not one that anyone had anticipated. However, there was almost a way that the role would have gotten to Will Smith instead of Reeves. Luckily, he chose not to take up the role, thinking that the justice that Reeves brought to the character would never have been possible if Smith was to play Neo.
“You know, The Matrix is a difficult concept to pitch. In the pitch, I just didn’t see it. I watched Keanu’s performance – and very rarely do I say this – but I would have messed it up. I would have absolutely messed up The Matrix. At that point I wasn’t smart enough as an actor to let the movie be. Whereas Keanu was smart enough to just let it be. Let the movie and the director tell the story, and don’t try and perform every moment.”
He admitted that the amount of charisma that the actor brought is way beyond compare. Furthermore, he acknowledged how if he had said yes to the role, Smith would have perhaps messed it up badly enough to not give justice to the movie or the character. He even believed that there would have been no chance that Smith would have done it better than Reeves no matter how big of an actor he believes himself to be. No perception of the world or his fans would have changed the fact that Keanu Reeves was outstanding in the role of Neo.
Julia Roberts Turned Down Many Roles That Sandra Bullock Got
Sandra Bullock got her first Oscar nomination as well as the award for Best Actress for the movie, The Blind Side. However, it was Julia Roberts who had been approached for the role before the actress. She also was asked to be in The Proposal, another one of Bullock’s hit flicks.
Both these films were rejected by the actress because she wanted to be paid higher. Roberts was ready to play the part only if her pay was increased. That did not happen and instead, Bullock did the movies for a lower salary.
Source: The Wired
