Will Smith Might Star in ‘The Matrix 5' [Updated]

UPDATE: The trades are confirming that Smith isn’t starring in the next ‘Matrix’ movie, but they’re as perplexed as we are about his social media post.

EARLIER: Oh, boy. If this comes to fruition then expect lots of conversation about the casting. This isn’t anything official, but multiple media outlets will likely pick up on it very soon.

Will Smith has released a cryptic post teasing that he may be starring in a new ‘Matrix’ movie. On his Instagram, a message mentions how he originally turned down the lead role in the iconic 1999 film in favor of “Wild Wild West,” but that a “wake up” might have occurred.

In 1997, The Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. Smith turned it down. 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. Wake up, Will. The Matrix has you …

Smith starring as Neo, or whatever the lead character might be in the next film, would cement the actor’s post-slap comeback. Last year’s “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” proved that Smith still has some box office clout, and now he has a few projects already lined up, including “I Am Legend 2.”

Last April, Warner Bros. announced that a new installment of the sci-fi franchise was in the works. Drew Goddard was going to write and direct ‘The Matrix 5.’ This would be the first ‘Matrix’ film not directed by a Wachowski. No casting or plot details were revealed.

Goddard is best known for directing “The Cabin in the Woods” and “Bad Times at the El Royale.” He previously penned “Cloverfield,” “World War Z,” and “The Martian.” Prior to that, he was known for his TV work, writing episodes for “Buffy The Vampire Slayer,” “Alias,” and “Lost.”

The ‘Matrix’ franchise is coming off 2021’s bewildering “The Matrix Resurrections”, which cost $190M to produce, and only grossed $37M domestically. It didn’t help that the film was extremely divisive, earning a “B-” audience survey ranking from Cinemascore and a 63% on Rotten Tomatoes.