In the world of Hollywood, certain actors possess a unique ability to captivate audiences and leave a lasting impact on the film industry. Undoubtedly, Keanu Reeves is one of these actors. Reeves earned global recognition and solidified his position as a beloved and respected figure in the entertainment industry.
He began to gain attention in the film industry with roles in films like River’s Edge (1986) and Youngblood (1986). However, it was his portrayal of Ted “Theodore” Logan in the cult classic Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure (1989) that catapulted him to fame. In 1999, Reeves took on the role that would become one of the most defining in his career, and the famed actor believes that he was ‘very lucky’ to get the role.
A Breakthrough Role for Keanu Reeves
Few characters in science fiction movies have had as much of an influence as Neo from The Matrix. When it was released in 1999, this movie completely changed the action genre. It’s been more than 20 years since the arrival of The Matrix in movie theaters around the world and nobody could envisage anyone else playing Neo, but Keanu Reeves.
Although Keanu Reeves had already received recognition for roles in successful films such as My Own Private Idaho, Point Break, Speed, and Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, he truly broke into the mainstream as the face of The Matrix. Yet, Reeves considers his role in the movie as Neo the luckiest one.
During the Reddit AMA in 2014, fans asked Keanu Reeves an array of questions and one among those was how he got the role of Neo in The Matrix movie. Reeves answered, “I was very lucky. Heh.”
“Um, I got a call from my agent, saying that these directors, the Wachowskis, wanted to meet, and they sent me the script and the script was absolutely amazing,” he explained.
He continued,
“And I went in to meet with them, and they showed me some artwork, of their vision, and an early version of ‘bullet time,’ and it was very exciting and inspiring, and we looked at each other, we ended up hanging out in a parking lot outside the offices just talking and riffing, and we basically just kinda shook hands — they told me they wanted me to train for 4 months prior to filming, and I got a big grin on my face and said: ‘Yes.’”
More than 20 years after its release, The Matrix and Keanu Reeves’ portrayal of Neo is still hailed as a turning point in the sci-fi genre and a cultural touchstone in modern cinema.
The Role was Offered to Other Actors too Before Keanu Reeves
One of the most significant highlights in Keanu Reeves’ career was undoubtedly his performance as Neo in The Matrix. However, a number of Hollywood A-listers were sought for the role of Neo. Brad Pitt regrets passing up the opportunity to play the lead. He said in 2020, “I took the red pill.” Although Pitt would have likely made an outstanding Neo, he is happy that Reeves ended up getting the role.
After Pitt declined the part, Leonardo DiCaprio agreed to take it on before withdrawing because he was afraid of taking part in a visual effects-heavy film shortly after Titanic. Another actor who almost secured Reeves’ role was Will Smith. Like Pitt, Smith praised the actors chosen to star in The Matrix. “Keanu was perfect, Laurence Fishburne was perfect, so I probably would have messed The Matrix up. I would have ruined it, so I did y’all a favour.”
Reeves thanked Smith for paving the way to his starring in The Matrix. When asked how he feels about Will Smith turning down the lead in The Matrix before it was offered to him the actor said, “Well, it changed my life. And, it was such a wonderful creative experience, and so to play Neo in The Matrix trilogy and now in the fourth… It impacted my life, personally and creatively. Thank you very much.”
It seems the role of Neo was destined to be played by none other than Keanu Reeves and eventually, it became a huge successful character.
Source: Cheat Sheet
