---
title: "Watch a Deepfake That Casts Will Smith as Neo In “The Matrix”"
description: "Will Smith turned down the role of Neo in \"The Matrix,\" but a new deepfake explores what the movie would've been like if he hadn't."
date: "2019-09-04"
modified: "2019-09-09"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/deepfake-will-smith-the-matrix"
categories:
  - "Future Society"
tags:
  - "deepfake"
  - "deepfakes"
  - "the digest"
---

# Watch a Deepfake That Casts Will Smith as Neo In “The Matrix”

![A deepfake video uploaded to YouTube explores what it would have looked like if Will Smith had accepted to take on the role of Neo in "The Matrix."](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/deepfake-will-smith-the-matrix.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image:  Sham00K via YouTube\</em\>*

## Blue Pill

Will Smith has a big decision to make: will he take the red pill or the blue pill?

A deepfake video on YouTube explores what it would have been like if Will Smith had [accepted the role](<https://www.slashfilm.com/will-smith-shares-the-story-of-why-he-turned-down-the-matrix/>) of protagonist Neo in the 1999 blockbuster "The Matrix." Smith was offered the role before Keanu Reeves.

The actor went on to film "Wild Wild West" instead — a move he [publicly apologized](<https://youtu.be/hm2szuXKgL8>) for earlier this year.

https://youtu.be/1h-yy3h1u04

## Dodged a Bullet

The deepfake video explores some of the key sequences of the movie, including the iconic "there is no spoon" scene and the climactic helicopter action sequence.

The effect is quite jarring, especially considering the shift in skin color, facial hair and hairstyle.

## Matrix Reloaded

But it's an impressive example of the power of the technology — watch how the ripples of the super-slowed-down bullet shock waves ripple across Smith's stunned face.

It's not a video we ever asked for, but maybe it's the video we deserve. And who knows — perhaps it will motivate Smith to join the cast of the series' upcoming [fourth installment](<https://screenrant.com/matrix-4-movie-release-date-cast-story-trailer/>).

**READ MORE:** [Watch Will Smith Play Neo in This Cursed 'Matrix' Deepfake](<https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/gyzvmw/this-the-matrix-will-smith-deepfake-video-is-cursed>) \[*Vice*\]

**More on deepfakes:** *[New Deepfake App Lets You “Act” in Popular Movies, TV Shows](<https://futurism.com/the-byte/new-deepfake-app-zao>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)