Jada Pinkett Smith auditioned for the role of Trinity in The Wachowskis’ celebrated sci-fi franchise The Matrix. She did not get the role opposite Keanu Reeves-led movie series but she definitely secured another important role.
Her husband Will Smith turned down the lead in the movie but Pinkett Smith had a different perspective on the franchise. The role of Trinity could be under her sleeves but her chemistry with Reeves did not click and being impressed with her audition, the makers of the movie decided to give her another role. But Pinkett Smith would not be able to star in the movie if it wasn’t for this remarkable person in her life.
Jada Pinkett Smith Appeared in The Matrix Because of Adrienne Norris-Banfield
Jada Pinkett Smith’s mother Adrienne Norris-Banfield immensely supported the actor in playing Niobe in the sci-fi franchise. In her own Facebook Watch Red Table Talk, the 52-year-old revealed that playing Niobe was only possible because of her mother’s support and great help.
“There was so much healing that happened between you and I through [my children] because I got to see your nurturing side. I got to see sacrifices that you were making for them that weren’t the same kind of sacrifices you made for me, how you were like ‘I’m going. I’ll be with you in Australia. I know it’s going to be long. My husband is not happy, but I’m gonna be there’” Pinkett Smith thanked her mother in the show.
Certainly, family matters. The Set It Off actor would perhaps take a break from acting but there was the risk of missing out on great opportunities.
“That helped me so much because if I didn’t have you, I wouldn’t have been able to do the Matrix,” she said. “I wouldn’t be able to keep working. You went with me everywhere. Because of you, I was able to have my children with me, so thank you.”
Norris-Banfield contribution to Pinkett Smith’s career has lifted the actor to climb more steps on the ladder to fame and success.
Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith Had An Argument for The Matrix
Initially, Will Smith was considered for the lead role in the movie but the actor turned down the role. His wife, however, was very excited about his role and asked the actor to reconsider.
“I’m a comic book fan freak, right? So I’m looking at this deck and I’m going ‘Oh my goodness this is revolutionary’ I’m like ‘Will you gotta do this movie,’” Pinkett Smith told Vanity Fair.
But she found a way to be in the franchise but not before having an argument with her husband first.
“‘He’s like I don’t freaking get it’ I’m like ‘you don’t get it?’ They’re gonna try to make an action comic book he didn’t get it he turned it down. But that’s how I first got introduced to it. And then I was called in the audition for Trinity and I was like oh this is my chance I might have the possibility of being in this movie. Didn’t get Trinity but they kept me in mind and they wrote a part from me called Niobe and I never forget when they called me in and they were like Jade we have this role for you,” she told the outlet.
But there was a twist, “I’ll tell you a secret I lied,” she continued. The actor was pregnant with Willow at the time. “Willow was supposed to be due November 11 but I told him I said no worries the baby’s coming in October by the time the end of November comes I’m gonna be ready,” she added. Fortunately for Jada Pinkett, Willow came early and everything worked in her favor, and took the role in the film.
Source: Red Table Talk, Vanity Fair
