The Matrix hit the big screen two decades ago and it was well received by both critics and cinema goers.
Labelled by film buffs as “visually dazzling” and “full of kinetic excitement”, The Matrix catapulted main star Keanu Reeves to worldwide fame, however things could have been a lot different.
The part of Neo, played by Keanu Reeves, was originally offered to none other than Miss Congeniality herself, Sandra Bullock.
In a final bid to secure an A lister, film bosses reached out to Sandra and even re-wrote the Neo role for a woman in a hope she would take the part.
Film producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura shared how they approached Sandra to take the part in a recent interview with The Wrap.
He said: “It was pretty simple. We sent her the script to see if she was interested in it. And if she was interested in it we would try to make the change.
“It just wasn’t something for her at the time. So really it didn’t go anywhere.”
Lorenzo then went on to spill more secrets surrounding the role, and confessed that Keanu Reeves wasn’t their first choice, having wanted to secure bigger names like Brad Pitt, Will Smith, or Leonardo DiCaprio.
Unfortunately, Brad Pitt couldn’t take the role as he was tied up filming Seven Years in Tibet at the time, and would be “way too exhausted” for The Matrix.
Sandra Bullock also mentioned turning down The Matrix role in an unearthed interview with Today in 2007.
“There haven’t been any roles that I wanted that I didn’t get, but there was a movie I wish I had done The Matrix. ”
Sandra Bullock
The Ocean’s Eight actress revealed: “There haven’t been any roles that I wanted that I didn’t get, but there was a movie I wish I had done: The Matrix.
“At the time I was approached about it, it wasn’t cast with Keanu, and I didn’t see myself with the person they wanted in it. Later I saw the movie and loved it. It was sexy and great because of Carrie-Anne Moss and Keanu.”
Sandra has worked with Keanu Reeves a number of times including their blockbuster hit Speed in 1994, and their teary rom-com The Lake House which was released in 2006.