Lorenzo di Bonaventura, producer of The Matrix, has revealed that Neo could have been a woman, if Sandra Bullock hadn’t turned down the role.
Warner Bros. reportedly demanded that the part be played by an A-lister, given that the Wachowskis had only directed a single film, 1996’s Bound, prior to the project.
“We went out to so many people I don’t remember. We were getting desperate,” di Bonaventura told The Wrap.
Possible candidates reportedly included Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Will Smith. Smith elaborated on turning down the role in a post on his Instagram account last month.
Source: IGN.com Sandra Bullock Was Offered the Role of Neo in The Matrix Before Keanu Reeves