
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith reportedly first hoped to join The Matrix franchise in the very first film and auditioned for the role of Trinity, while her husband, Will Smith was offered the role of Neo. While that alternative universe would surely have been whack, the couple could not do their roles, and Carrie-Anne Moss took up the role of Trinity.
A still from The Matrix Reloaded | Credits: Warner Bros.
However, Pinkett Smith finally joined the franchise in The Matrix Reloaded, playing the part of Niobe. She went on to play the part in the sequels, The Matrix Revolutions and Resurrections as well as the video game Enter the Matrix. While the role was written with her in mind, she reportedly had one condition that needed to be fulfilled for her to join.
The Wachowskis happily agreed to Jada Pinkett Smith’s clause while offering The Matrix Reloaded Jada Pinkett Smith...
A still from The Matrix Reloaded | Credits: Warner Bros.
However, Pinkett Smith finally joined the franchise in The Matrix Reloaded, playing the part of Niobe. She went on to play the part in the sequels, The Matrix Revolutions and Resurrections as well as the video game Enter the Matrix. While the role was written with her in mind, she reportedly had one condition that needed to be fulfilled for her to join.
The Wachowskis happily agreed to Jada Pinkett Smith’s clause while offering The Matrix Reloaded Jada Pinkett Smith...
- 2/9/2025
- by Nishanth A
- FandomWire

Did Mark Ruffalo spoil Avengers: Infinity War? (Photo Credit – Facebook)
While chatting with Don Cheadle on Good Morning America at the D23 Expo, he casually dropped, “In this next one, ha — everybody dies!” He tried to backpedal mid-sentence, attempting to say “half” instead. But the damage was done.
Cheadle’s reaction was pure panic. A mix of shock, disbelief, and silent pleading that Marvel’s snipers weren’t already locking in on them. His face alone screamed, Dude, what have you done? But Ruffalo just sat there, realizing in real time that he may have just spoiled 10 years of Marvel storytelling in under five seconds.
At the time, fans weren’t sure if this was a legit spoiler or a playful misdirection. Marvel actors were trained to dodge questions like they were in The Matrix. Plus, Tom Holland had already earned a reputation as Marvel’s resident spoiler machine. Maybe Ruffalo was just messing around,...
While chatting with Don Cheadle on Good Morning America at the D23 Expo, he casually dropped, “In this next one, ha — everybody dies!” He tried to backpedal mid-sentence, attempting to say “half” instead. But the damage was done.
Cheadle’s reaction was pure panic. A mix of shock, disbelief, and silent pleading that Marvel’s snipers weren’t already locking in on them. His face alone screamed, Dude, what have you done? But Ruffalo just sat there, realizing in real time that he may have just spoiled 10 years of Marvel storytelling in under five seconds.
At the time, fans weren’t sure if this was a legit spoiler or a playful misdirection. Marvel actors were trained to dodge questions like they were in The Matrix. Plus, Tom Holland had already earned a reputation as Marvel’s resident spoiler machine. Maybe Ruffalo was just messing around,...
- 2/9/2025
- by Koimoi.com Team
- KoiMoi

With the Super Bowl just around the corner, excitement is building not only for the game itself but for the highly anticipated commercials that will light up the screen. Every year, movie studios and streaming services unleash their biggest trailers during this big game, knowing the audience’s anticipation to catch a glimpse of the biggest commercials of the year.
While the game and half-time show certainly bring excitement, it’s those sneak peeks at upcoming movies that truly have viewers on the edge.
A still from The Studio trailer | Credit: Apple TV+
However, before the Super Bowl hits the screen, Seth Rogan’s new Apple TV’s fake Super Bowl trailer is making rounds on the internet for its trailer within trailer tricks. In the Apple TV+ trailer of The Studio, Seth Rogan is a newly appointed head of a fictional movie. The trailer follows him and his team...
While the game and half-time show certainly bring excitement, it’s those sneak peeks at upcoming movies that truly have viewers on the edge.
A still from The Studio trailer | Credit: Apple TV+
However, before the Super Bowl hits the screen, Seth Rogan’s new Apple TV’s fake Super Bowl trailer is making rounds on the internet for its trailer within trailer tricks. In the Apple TV+ trailer of The Studio, Seth Rogan is a newly appointed head of a fictional movie. The trailer follows him and his team...
- 2/8/2025
- by Kaberi Ray
- FandomWire

IMDb's Top 250 movies is a tough list for modern films to reach. It contains the best movies with the highest crowd-sourced ratings from any and all genres. Some of these are clear-cut candidates, like Adrien Brody's historical music biopic "The Pianist," which comes in 32nd on the list. Other movies are less sobering and more fantastical. For instance, all three of Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy films are in the top 12.
Sci-fi shows up a lot, too. "Interstellar" is ranked 19th. "The Matrix" is 16th. "The Empire Strikes Back" occupies the 15th spot, and "Inception" is the highest-ranked sci-fi of them all at 14th. With so many classics already on the list, it's hard for new releases to make the cut. Case in point, just three movies from 2024 were added to the list's hallowed ranks — two of which were from the sci-fi genre.
As of this writing,...
Sci-fi shows up a lot, too. "Interstellar" is ranked 19th. "The Matrix" is 16th. "The Empire Strikes Back" occupies the 15th spot, and "Inception" is the highest-ranked sci-fi of them all at 14th. With so many classics already on the list, it's hard for new releases to make the cut. Case in point, just three movies from 2024 were added to the list's hallowed ranks — two of which were from the sci-fi genre.
As of this writing,...
- 2/7/2025
- by Jaron Pak
- Slash Film

Our favourite Macrodata Refinement team finds itself in chilly conditions. Here’s our Severance season 2 episode 4 review.
Warning! As always, these reviews are spoiler-free for the week in question but will discuss previous episodes.
Is there a rule that episode four of the second season of an AppleTV+ show has to be the best one yet? Silo’s episode 4 was excellent and now Severance serves us its most ambitious, fascinating episode yet this week too.
The episode begins with a cold open – literally. We open with Irv’s face as he seemingly stands on ice at an unknown, snowy location. He’s alone, but quickly spots Mark on top of a cliff.
If you’re confused, don’t worry; so is the Macrodata Refinement Team. They have no memory of how they’ve ended up in this place or why they’re there. They find an old TV where a...
Warning! As always, these reviews are spoiler-free for the week in question but will discuss previous episodes.
Is there a rule that episode four of the second season of an AppleTV+ show has to be the best one yet? Silo’s episode 4 was excellent and now Severance serves us its most ambitious, fascinating episode yet this week too.
The episode begins with a cold open – literally. We open with Irv’s face as he seemingly stands on ice at an unknown, snowy location. He’s alone, but quickly spots Mark on top of a cliff.
If you’re confused, don’t worry; so is the Macrodata Refinement Team. They have no memory of how they’ve ended up in this place or why they’re there. They find an old TV where a...
- 2/7/2025
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories


Jada Pinkett Smith landed her starring role in The Matrix Reloaded after failing her audition for the first Matrix. Although she needed little convincing to do the sequel, she was further sold on the project after learning she’d get to keep her clothes on.
How Jada Pinkett Smith ended up in ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ Jada Pinkett Smith | Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage
The Wachowskis didn’t have to look too hard for someone to play Niobe in The Matrix Reloaded. They already had Pinkett Smith in mind to for the character, so much so the part was specifically written for her. The Wachowskis were already familiar with Pinkett Smith after she auditioned for the first Matrix. But she admitted that she and the film’s star Keanu Reeves didn’t have enough chemistry for her to be cast in the original movie. Although Pinkett Smith would’ve liked to have secured the role of Trinity,...
How Jada Pinkett Smith ended up in ‘The Matrix Reloaded’ Jada Pinkett Smith | Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage
The Wachowskis didn’t have to look too hard for someone to play Niobe in The Matrix Reloaded. They already had Pinkett Smith in mind to for the character, so much so the part was specifically written for her. The Wachowskis were already familiar with Pinkett Smith after she auditioned for the first Matrix. But she admitted that she and the film’s star Keanu Reeves didn’t have enough chemistry for her to be cast in the original movie. Although Pinkett Smith would’ve liked to have secured the role of Trinity,...
- 2/7/2025
- by Antonio Stallings
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet

Lightbulb Film Distribution has unveiled the official poster and trailer for Die Alone, the upcoming survival thriller starring Carrie-Anne Moss, Douglas Smith, and Frank Grillo. Directed by Lowell Dean, best known for his cult horror hit WolfCop, the film is set to arrive on Digital, DVD, and Blu-ray in the UK and Ireland on 10th March 2025.
Following its European premiere at Sitges Film Festival last year, Die Alone is now preparing for its wider release, offering a high-intensity blend of action, horror, and survival drama. The film draws inspiration from classics like 28 Days Later, throwing its characters into a brutal post-apocalyptic world where the undead are only part of the threat.
The story follows Ethan (Douglas Smith), a young man who awakens in a desolate landscape with no memory of how he got there. Forced to navigate a dangerous new reality, he crosses paths with hardened survivalists—one of...
Following its European premiere at Sitges Film Festival last year, Die Alone is now preparing for its wider release, offering a high-intensity blend of action, horror, and survival drama. The film draws inspiration from classics like 28 Days Later, throwing its characters into a brutal post-apocalyptic world where the undead are only part of the threat.
The story follows Ethan (Douglas Smith), a young man who awakens in a desolate landscape with no memory of how he got there. Forced to navigate a dangerous new reality, he crosses paths with hardened survivalists—one of...
- 2/6/2025
- by Oliver Mitchell
- Love Horror


Back in March 2000, just a few weeks before the 72nd Academy Awards, something crazy happened—one of the boldest heists in Hollywood history. A shipment of 55 Oscar statuettes, meant for the big winners of the night, completely vanished from a loading dock in Los Angeles. Can you imagine? These weren’t just any trophies; they were the actual Oscars that stars had been dreaming of their whole lives!
When the news broke, it sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Everyone was talking about it—how could something like this even happen? The Academy was in full panic mode, and law enforcement wasted no time getting involved. The LAPD and even the FBI jumped on the case, trying to track down the missing awards. For a while, it was a total mystery. People speculated that maybe it was an inside job, or maybe someone had stolen them to sell on the black market.
When the news broke, it sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. Everyone was talking about it—how could something like this even happen? The Academy was in full panic mode, and law enforcement wasted no time getting involved. The LAPD and even the FBI jumped on the case, trying to track down the missing awards. For a while, it was a total mystery. People speculated that maybe it was an inside job, or maybe someone had stolen them to sell on the black market.
- 2/6/2025
- by Naveed Zahir
- High on Films

Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Worldwide Box Office: Surpasses John Wick 4( Photo Credit – Instagram )
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also scored strong numbers this weekend. It has crossed the $450 million mark worldwide and has become one of the top five highest-grossing films of Keanu Reeves’ career. To achieve this position, it has surpassed the global haul of John Wick 4. Scroll below for the deets.
Reeves is one of the greatest actors of the 21st century, known for his leading roles in action films. The actor is best known for the Matrix and John Wick franchises, in addition to his philanthropic practices in his personal life. Filmmaker Jeff Fowler roped in Keanu due to the parallels between his performance in the John Wick movies and his vision for the character of Shadow the Hedgehog.
Keanu Reeves plays the antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic 3. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 collected a strong $7 million...
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 also scored strong numbers this weekend. It has crossed the $450 million mark worldwide and has become one of the top five highest-grossing films of Keanu Reeves’ career. To achieve this position, it has surpassed the global haul of John Wick 4. Scroll below for the deets.
Reeves is one of the greatest actors of the 21st century, known for his leading roles in action films. The actor is best known for the Matrix and John Wick franchises, in addition to his philanthropic practices in his personal life. Filmmaker Jeff Fowler roped in Keanu due to the parallels between his performance in the John Wick movies and his vision for the character of Shadow the Hedgehog.
Keanu Reeves plays the antagonist Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic 3. Sonic the Hedgehog 3 collected a strong $7 million...
- 2/6/2025
- by Esita Mallik
- KoiMoi


In the mid-2000s, you could be forgiven for thinking action films had gotten a little stale. The genre tends to go in waves; whenever something hits in a big way, you get derivative, increasingly stale copies. Think about all the Die Hard rip-offs or the way every movie tried to copy The Matrix with bullet time and wire-work post-1999. Heck, we’re experiencing it right now with superhero movies and John Wick clones. Whenever this happens, it’s more-or-less left to international cinema to come along and shake us up with something different, done far outside the mainstream, to revitalize the genre. That happened in 2004, when a small movie from France, District 13, introduced Parkour to mainstream audiences.
So, what’s Parkour? Think of it as free running in an urban setting mixed with acrobatics and martial arts. It was founded by the star of District 13, David Belle, a Parisian...
So, what’s Parkour? Think of it as free running in an urban setting mixed with acrobatics and martial arts. It was founded by the star of District 13, David Belle, a Parisian...
- 2/5/2025
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com

"Buffy the Vampire Slayer" is famous for its blend of comedy and drama, silly rubber monster suits, and '90s dance sequences. But it's perhaps most famous of all for its villains. That's not just because they're super memorable, but also because of how the use of seasonal villains on "Buffy" completely changed the way most serialized TV was written. That format will surely continue in the recently reported "Buffy" sequel series at Hulu.
The concept of the "Big Bad" of a season overshadowing all the smaller "monster of the week" episodes and tying together a cohesive story with a climactic finale every year basically came from "Buffy." That narrative model, which had worked in various forms in the comic book medium for years, gave the show a distinctive feel on TV in the late '90s and early 2000s. It also became hugely influential for the whole medium of dramatic television.
The concept of the "Big Bad" of a season overshadowing all the smaller "monster of the week" episodes and tying together a cohesive story with a climactic finale every year basically came from "Buffy." That narrative model, which had worked in various forms in the comic book medium for years, gave the show a distinctive feel on TV in the late '90s and early 2000s. It also became hugely influential for the whole medium of dramatic television.
- 2/5/2025
- by Rick Stevenson
- Slash Film


Last May, Warner Bros. and Player First Games’ launched the video game MultiVersus, a free-to-play platform fighter game that was made available as “a free download for PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 4 consoles, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One consoles, and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), with full cross-play and cross-progression support.” Unfortunately, it turns out that the game only had one year of life in it, as Warner Bros. Games has now announced that online service for MultiVersus will be coming to an end on May 30th.
Warner Bros. Games wrote, “We have an important update to share regarding MultiVersus. After careful consideration, our next Season will serve as the final seasonal content update for the game. MultiVersus Season 5 will begin on February 4, 2025, and run through May 30, 2025, adding two new playable characters to the roster – DC’s Aquaman and Looney Tunes’ Lola Bunny. All new Season 5 content, including Aquaman and Lola Bunny,...
Warner Bros. Games wrote, “We have an important update to share regarding MultiVersus. After careful consideration, our next Season will serve as the final seasonal content update for the game. MultiVersus Season 5 will begin on February 4, 2025, and run through May 30, 2025, adding two new playable characters to the roster – DC’s Aquaman and Looney Tunes’ Lola Bunny. All new Season 5 content, including Aquaman and Lola Bunny,...
- 2/3/2025
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com

We had barely recovered from the festivities of the New Year when Will Smith shocked us with an unwarranted ‘The Matrix’ post.
It sent fans into a spiral, as they tried to come up with reasonable theories as to why “the Matrix would have Will,” so to speak.
Alas, a producer came forward and crushed any dreams we had of the ‘I Am Legend’ star having a Matrix spinoff of his own. But that doesn’t mean he’s done with all things ‘The Matrix.’
Big Sean Hints Will Smith Regrets Passing Over the Lead Role In ‘The Matrix’ In ‘Beautiful Scars’ Trailer
This week, fans will get their hands on a Big Sean and Will Smith collab called ‘Beautiful Scars,’ but before that, more ‘The Matrix’ crumbs.
Well, as the story goes, Will Smith was offered the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix,’ but passed it up so that...
It sent fans into a spiral, as they tried to come up with reasonable theories as to why “the Matrix would have Will,” so to speak.
Alas, a producer came forward and crushed any dreams we had of the ‘I Am Legend’ star having a Matrix spinoff of his own. But that doesn’t mean he’s done with all things ‘The Matrix.’
Big Sean Hints Will Smith Regrets Passing Over the Lead Role In ‘The Matrix’ In ‘Beautiful Scars’ Trailer
This week, fans will get their hands on a Big Sean and Will Smith collab called ‘Beautiful Scars,’ but before that, more ‘The Matrix’ crumbs.
Well, as the story goes, Will Smith was offered the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix,’ but passed it up so that...
- 2/2/2025
- by Nmesoma Okechukwu
- Celebrating The Soaps

He's one of the most formidable, dangerous, and fearsome heroes in the Marvel universe, armed with nothing but his wits and a weapons cache suitable for a small army. He's faced off against the likes of Spider-Man, Wolverine, and even Ghost Rider, so it's safe to say it's tough being The Punisher. Currently, only four men can attest to the title in live-action film and television. Since 1989, these stars have dared don the iconic superhero costume of cargo pants, a black t-shirt, and a trenchcoat long before Neo made them cool in "The Matrix." The question is, which portrayal emerges battered, bloodied, and superior to the rest?
As the heat begins to rise with the return of Matt Murdock in "Daredevil: Born Again" (watch the trailer here), it's only right to shine a light on the man he's battled, not only in the former Netflix show but also on several...
As the heat begins to rise with the return of Matt Murdock in "Daredevil: Born Again" (watch the trailer here), it's only right to shine a light on the man he's battled, not only in the former Netflix show but also on several...
- 2/2/2025
- by Nick Staniforth
- Slash Film

Why did Keanu Reeves pass on Speed 2? (Photo Credit – Facebook/Prime Video)
Keanu Reeves made one of the smartest career moves ever by giving Speed 2 a hard pass. The first Speed was an absolute adrenaline rush, a steady ride of shambles and outbursts. So when they announced a sequel, everyone just assumed Reeves would be back for more but nope, he slammed the brakes on that one.
Instead of him racing against time, we got Jason Patric as Sandra Bullock’s new on-screen boyfriend. Not precisely something fans were hoping for. Reeves took one look at the script and knew it wasn’t exemplary. So, he trusted his gut and walked away. And guess what? He was right.
Why Keanu Reeves Opted Out of Speed 2
When Speed 2 dropped, everyone presumed Keanu Reeves would be back as Jack Traven. After all, he was a major reason the...
Keanu Reeves made one of the smartest career moves ever by giving Speed 2 a hard pass. The first Speed was an absolute adrenaline rush, a steady ride of shambles and outbursts. So when they announced a sequel, everyone just assumed Reeves would be back for more but nope, he slammed the brakes on that one.
Instead of him racing against time, we got Jason Patric as Sandra Bullock’s new on-screen boyfriend. Not precisely something fans were hoping for. Reeves took one look at the script and knew it wasn’t exemplary. So, he trusted his gut and walked away. And guess what? He was right.
Why Keanu Reeves Opted Out of Speed 2
When Speed 2 dropped, everyone presumed Keanu Reeves would be back as Jack Traven. After all, he was a major reason the...
- 2/2/2025
- by Koimoi - Team Mool
- KoiMoi

Will Smith doesn’t have many regrets in his life, but slapping Chris Rock still ranks high on the list of the few he has. Having a career that spans decades is bound to come with fair share of missed opportunities and regrets.
Will Smith in Bad Boys For Life | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
The biggest career mistake, according to him, though, was passing on the opportunity to play Neo in The Matrix. In a recently released music video, he reflected on that mistake by trying to recreate the movie.
Interestingly, what caught people’s attention was the implication that there is another regret in his life that continues to haunt him. However, they did not explicitly talk about it. So, let’s talk about it.
Will Smith is still haunted by the Chris Rock debacle during the 2022 Oscars
Everybody is aware of the huge debacle at the 2022 Oscars that...
Will Smith in Bad Boys For Life | Credits: Sony Pictures Releasing
The biggest career mistake, according to him, though, was passing on the opportunity to play Neo in The Matrix. In a recently released music video, he reflected on that mistake by trying to recreate the movie.
Interestingly, what caught people’s attention was the implication that there is another regret in his life that continues to haunt him. However, they did not explicitly talk about it. So, let’s talk about it.
Will Smith is still haunted by the Chris Rock debacle during the 2022 Oscars
Everybody is aware of the huge debacle at the 2022 Oscars that...
- 1/31/2025
- by Anushree Banerjee
- FandomWire


The Matrix is considered a cinematic masterpiece that people are still talking about years after it first premiered.
The first movie in the franchise arrived in 1999 and starred the likes of Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving. It introduced a franchise that spanned decades with a fourth movie arriving in 2021 and a fifth reportedly in the works in 2025.
The stars were perfectly cast in their roles. However, they weren’t the only actors who auditioned for the movie.
This week, an actor who turned down a role in the movie referenced The Matrix.
Who else auditioned alongside them? We rounded up 14 actors who were in the running for some of the movie’s biggest roles. The list includes an incredibly talented crop of actors, more than half of them Oscar winners!
Scroll through the slideshow to see who was in the running for a starring role in The Matrix…...
The first movie in the franchise arrived in 1999 and starred the likes of Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss and Hugo Weaving. It introduced a franchise that spanned decades with a fourth movie arriving in 2021 and a fifth reportedly in the works in 2025.
The stars were perfectly cast in their roles. However, they weren’t the only actors who auditioned for the movie.
This week, an actor who turned down a role in the movie referenced The Matrix.
Who else auditioned alongside them? We rounded up 14 actors who were in the running for some of the movie’s biggest roles. The list includes an incredibly talented crop of actors, more than half of them Oscar winners!
Scroll through the slideshow to see who was in the running for a starring role in The Matrix…...
- 1/30/2025
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared

Will Smith Channels 'The Matrix' in 'Beautiful Scars' Music Video, Announces First Album in 20 Years

Will Smith entered The Matrix alongside Big Sean in the music video for his new single “Beautiful Scars.”
The 56-year-old movie star and musician also shared some big music news: He has a new album called Based On a True Story, his first in 20 years, coming out this spring!
On Thursday (January 30), he rolled out a taste of the album in the form of his new single, which discusses the challenges of fame and moving on from past mistakes. In the accompanying music video, Will and Big Sean channeled the iconic film series The Matrix, which he once turned down a starring role in.
Keep reading to find out more…
Based On a True Story is Will‘s first full-length album since 2005′s Lost and Found. It will feature previously released songs “You Can Make It,” “Work of Art” and “Tantrum.”
An official release date has not been announced yet.
The 56-year-old movie star and musician also shared some big music news: He has a new album called Based On a True Story, his first in 20 years, coming out this spring!
On Thursday (January 30), he rolled out a taste of the album in the form of his new single, which discusses the challenges of fame and moving on from past mistakes. In the accompanying music video, Will and Big Sean channeled the iconic film series The Matrix, which he once turned down a starring role in.
Keep reading to find out more…
Based On a True Story is Will‘s first full-length album since 2005′s Lost and Found. It will feature previously released songs “You Can Make It,” “Work of Art” and “Tantrum.”
An official release date has not been announced yet.
- 1/30/2025
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared


Will Smith is taking on his music career in full throttle, and channeling Matrix to kick it off. On Thursday, the actor-rapper released the video for “Beautiful Scars” with Big Sean, and announced a new album, Based on True Story, his first in 20 years.
”Mr. Anderson and Mr. Smith welcome you back to the simulation,” Smith captioned a post with clips of the video, which sees Big Sean as the Morpheus character (played by Laurence Fishburne in the franchise) and Smith as Neo.
At the beginning of the year, Smith...
”Mr. Anderson and Mr. Smith welcome you back to the simulation,” Smith captioned a post with clips of the video, which sees Big Sean as the Morpheus character (played by Laurence Fishburne in the franchise) and Smith as Neo.
At the beginning of the year, Smith...
- 1/30/2025
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com


Will Smith is getting to play Neo nearly three decades after he famously rejected the lead role in the 1999 blockbuster The Matrix.
In the music video “Beautiful Scars” (below), Smith teams with rapper Big Sean and OBanga for a Matrix-themed video that has Smith doing his own version of several iconic scenes from the movie — including taking the red pill, the “bullet time” stunt and fighting in the kung fu simulator. While it might be “only” a music video, it does give fans the chance to see what Smith might have looked like in the film.
Five years ago, Smith posted a video (also below) breaking down exactly why he turned down The Matrix after a meeting with creators the Wachowskis back in 1998.
“I’m not proud of it, but it’s the truth, all right, I did turn down Neo in The Matrix,” Smith said. “After we made Men in Black,...
In the music video “Beautiful Scars” (below), Smith teams with rapper Big Sean and OBanga for a Matrix-themed video that has Smith doing his own version of several iconic scenes from the movie — including taking the red pill, the “bullet time” stunt and fighting in the kung fu simulator. While it might be “only” a music video, it does give fans the chance to see what Smith might have looked like in the film.
Five years ago, Smith posted a video (also below) breaking down exactly why he turned down The Matrix after a meeting with creators the Wachowskis back in 1998.
“I’m not proud of it, but it’s the truth, all right, I did turn down Neo in The Matrix,” Smith said. “After we made Men in Black,...
- 1/30/2025
- by James Hibberd
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News

Early Hong Kong classics from Jet Li, including works from celebrated filmmakers Gordon Chan, Yuen Woo-ping (perhaps best known by western audiences for his work on “The Matrix”) and Corey Yuen will finally arrive on digital 4K on Feb. 18, courtesy of Shout! Studios in collaboration with Li.
The releases include 1994’s “Fist of Legend,” 1993’s “Tai Chi Master,” “The Legend” and “The Legend 2,” and 1994’s “The Bodyguard From Beijing.” These are the movies that made Li an international superstar and paved the way for him to appear in western blockbusters like “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Romeo Must Die,” “The One” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” along with Sylvester Stallone’s “Expendables” franchise.
“Thanks to our new partner Shout! Studios, movie fans can now easily enjoy these entertaining films in stunning 4K on various digital platforms. I hope a new generation of audiences will be introduced to these...
The releases include 1994’s “Fist of Legend,” 1993’s “Tai Chi Master,” “The Legend” and “The Legend 2,” and 1994’s “The Bodyguard From Beijing.” These are the movies that made Li an international superstar and paved the way for him to appear in western blockbusters like “Lethal Weapon 4,” “Romeo Must Die,” “The One” and “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” along with Sylvester Stallone’s “Expendables” franchise.
“Thanks to our new partner Shout! Studios, movie fans can now easily enjoy these entertaining films in stunning 4K on various digital platforms. I hope a new generation of audiences will be introduced to these...
- 1/30/2025
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap

Will Smith is stepping into the Matrix.
Smith and rapper Big Sean have released the song “Beautiful Scars,” featuring OBanga, along with a “Matrix”-inspired music video. The actor has also announced that he will be dropping a new solo album, “Based on a True Story” — his first full length album release in over 20 years. The album is slated for a March 2025 release.
“Beautiful Scars,” produced by OmArr and LeXoskeleton, explores the pains of fame and learning from one’s mistakes. In the music video, Smith takes on the role of Neo, the character made famous by Keanu Reeves in the 1999 sci-fi classic “The Matrix,” while Big Sean steps into the shoes of Morpheus, originally portrayed by Laurence Fishburne.
Earlier this month, Smith posted a cryptic message on Instagram, where he recalled his decision to pass on the role of Neo (which ultimately went to Reeves) in “The Matrix.”
“In...
Smith and rapper Big Sean have released the song “Beautiful Scars,” featuring OBanga, along with a “Matrix”-inspired music video. The actor has also announced that he will be dropping a new solo album, “Based on a True Story” — his first full length album release in over 20 years. The album is slated for a March 2025 release.
“Beautiful Scars,” produced by OmArr and LeXoskeleton, explores the pains of fame and learning from one’s mistakes. In the music video, Smith takes on the role of Neo, the character made famous by Keanu Reeves in the 1999 sci-fi classic “The Matrix,” while Big Sean steps into the shoes of Morpheus, originally portrayed by Laurence Fishburne.
Earlier this month, Smith posted a cryptic message on Instagram, where he recalled his decision to pass on the role of Neo (which ultimately went to Reeves) in “The Matrix.”
“In...
- 1/30/2025
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV


Earlier this month, Will Smith posted a cryptic video that harkens back to the original Matrix film. In the video, a typed message tells Will to “wake up.” The message reads, “What would the Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?” The video then reveals that the Matrix has him, leading fans to believe Smith is leading the next film in the Matrix franchise. Speculation from fans ran wild after this tease and many wondered if Smith was about to announce that he will be starring in a new possible Matrix sequel. Not long after, Insiders had confirmed that Will Smith will not be starring in the new Matrix movie.
Rolling Stone reports that a new teaser with Smith and Big Sean teased that the new project is for a music video for Will’s newly released single “Beautiful Scars.” The teaser recreates the iconic “red pill/blue...
Rolling Stone reports that a new teaser with Smith and Big Sean teased that the new project is for a music video for Will’s newly released single “Beautiful Scars.” The teaser recreates the iconic “red pill/blue...
- 1/30/2025
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com

While Keanu Reeves is known for bending the laws of physics to dodge bullets and escape death in films like The Matrix and John Wick—in real life, the actor seems to be constantly surrounded by it. Enduring the heartbreaking loss of loved ones, Reeves seems to have finally found some peace in his simple living.
Keanu Reeves in Speed | image: 20th Century Studios
But there are times when the grim reality of life and the loss of his friends and family still haunts him. Making him think about his own ending, Keanu Reeves claimed to be particularly shaken by the death of his close friend River Phoenix. Brother to Joaquin Phoenix, as the late icon died of an overdose, Reeves went into silent mourning.
Keanu Reeves struggled to get over River Phoenix’s demise
Over the decades, Keanu Reeves has endured some soul-shattering losses. But the one that left...
Keanu Reeves in Speed | image: 20th Century Studios
But there are times when the grim reality of life and the loss of his friends and family still haunts him. Making him think about his own ending, Keanu Reeves claimed to be particularly shaken by the death of his close friend River Phoenix. Brother to Joaquin Phoenix, as the late icon died of an overdose, Reeves went into silent mourning.
Keanu Reeves struggled to get over River Phoenix’s demise
Over the decades, Keanu Reeves has endured some soul-shattering losses. But the one that left...
- 1/30/2025
- by Krittika Mukherjee
- FandomWire

Will Smith is one of the finest actors of his generation. In the late 90s, he was at the peak of fame and fortune. Everything he touched, became gold. At the time, he was Midas of acting, giving performances like Bad Boys and Enemy of the State. When everything was looking up for Will Smith, he made one grave decision that proved to be a big misjudgment on his part.
Will Smith explained why he turned down The Matrix through a YouTube video | Credits: YouTube/Will Smith
Before Keanu Reeves landed the role of Neo in The Matrix, the Wachowski Brothers had pitched the movie to Will Smith. Although it is strange to imagine anyone other than Reeves playing the computer wizard, it would have been interesting to see the star of The Pursuit of Happyness play The Anomaly.
The Matrix became a cultural phenomenon and a massive box office hit.
Will Smith explained why he turned down The Matrix through a YouTube video | Credits: YouTube/Will Smith
Before Keanu Reeves landed the role of Neo in The Matrix, the Wachowski Brothers had pitched the movie to Will Smith. Although it is strange to imagine anyone other than Reeves playing the computer wizard, it would have been interesting to see the star of The Pursuit of Happyness play The Anomaly.
The Matrix became a cultural phenomenon and a massive box office hit.
- 1/30/2025
- by Arpita
- FandomWire

When the sci-fi action flick “Virtuosity” was first released in the summer of 1995, it opened to mixed reviews and modest box office. It was the kind of mid-range studio programmer (it came from Paramount under the Sherry Lansing regime) that came out with dependable frequency in those days, a movie enjoyed by some but quickly forgotten by most before it left theaters to make way for other genre films like “Desperado,” “The Tie That Binds,” and “Hackers.”
Looking back now, studio slates like the ones Lansing oversaw — release schedules that made room for an abundance of medium-budget comedies (“Clueless”), thrillers (“Primal Fear”), sci-fi films (“The Relic”) and adult dramas (“Nobody’s Fool”) in between large-scale blockbusters like “Mission: Impossible,” “Braveheart,” and “Titanic” — seem far more varied and artistically fruitful than they did at the time, when we never knew such range was in any danger of disappearing. It was easy at...
Looking back now, studio slates like the ones Lansing oversaw — release schedules that made room for an abundance of medium-budget comedies (“Clueless”), thrillers (“Primal Fear”), sci-fi films (“The Relic”) and adult dramas (“Nobody’s Fool”) in between large-scale blockbusters like “Mission: Impossible,” “Braveheart,” and “Titanic” — seem far more varied and artistically fruitful than they did at the time, when we never knew such range was in any danger of disappearing. It was easy at...
- 1/29/2025
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire


Will Smith has dropped another breadcrumb about his upcoming single “Beautiful Scars,” which he’s been teasing with videos inspired by The Matrix. In the new trailer, he teams up with song collaborator Big Sean. The duo reenacts the famous red or blue pill choice Neo faces in the film, which harkens back to Smith originally passing up the role made famous by Keanu Reeves.
In the new clip, Big Sean portrays the Morpheus character (played by Laurence Fishburne in the franchise) to Smith’s Neo. “Look, you’ve made...
In the new clip, Big Sean portrays the Morpheus character (played by Laurence Fishburne in the franchise) to Smith’s Neo. “Look, you’ve made...
- 1/26/2025
- by Althea Legaspi
- Rollingstone.com

Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone is a separate universe in itself, with multiple sequels, intriguing characters, and storylines so intense they’ll leave you in awe of how the man’s brain works. The show has got family feuds, land wars, and enough backstabbing to please any drama fan, and at the center of it all is the one and only, Dutton family.
Yellowstone (2018-24) | Credits: Paramount Network
Yellowstone has finally come to an end after five seasons but those viewers who are currently yet to finish it all have a question – is the show even worth it after season 3? Well, while we would definitely say yes, there sure was a moment that made us wonder the exact same question.
When Yellowstone went off the rails Luke Grimes in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network
You know the feeling you have when you are well into watching a show and things take such an absurd turn,...
Yellowstone (2018-24) | Credits: Paramount Network
Yellowstone has finally come to an end after five seasons but those viewers who are currently yet to finish it all have a question – is the show even worth it after season 3? Well, while we would definitely say yes, there sure was a moment that made us wonder the exact same question.
When Yellowstone went off the rails Luke Grimes in Yellowstone | Credits: Paramount Network
You know the feeling you have when you are well into watching a show and things take such an absurd turn,...
- 1/25/2025
- by Mishkaat Khan
- FandomWire

The plot thickens and more questions arise in this week’s episode of AppleTV+’s mind-boggling thriller. Here’s our Severance season 2 episode 2 review.
Fridays have quickly become my favourite day of the week. No, not just because it’s almost the weekend, but because it means there’s a new episode of whatever elite AppleTV+ series available on my telly-box.
Severance made a triumphant comeback last week with an episode that confused as much as it delighted us. We returned to the severed floor of Lumon Industries and the episode gave us very few answers about the Innies’ trip to the outside at the end of season 1. Then again, Severance has never been a series to offer all the answers on a silver platter.
This week, the action goes back to the moments after the Mdr team caused chaos outside. Just like Silo dedicated its first two episodes to two specific locations,...
Fridays have quickly become my favourite day of the week. No, not just because it’s almost the weekend, but because it means there’s a new episode of whatever elite AppleTV+ series available on my telly-box.
Severance made a triumphant comeback last week with an episode that confused as much as it delighted us. We returned to the severed floor of Lumon Industries and the episode gave us very few answers about the Innies’ trip to the outside at the end of season 1. Then again, Severance has never been a series to offer all the answers on a silver platter.
This week, the action goes back to the moments after the Mdr team caused chaos outside. Just like Silo dedicated its first two episodes to two specific locations,...
- 1/24/2025
- by Maria Lattila
- Film Stories

Village Roadshow Entertainment Group has lost its lead showman. Steve Mosko, the veteran television and film executive who made his name at Sony, has departed his embattled company.
Sources told Variety that Mosko left his role as chief executive officer in recent days. The company, a producer on films including “Joker” and “The Matrix,” has been suffering serious cash flow issues since last fall. Majority owned by Vine Investments, Variety reported in December that Village Roadshow was on the verge of sanctions from the WGA over missed payments. Those penalties went into effect right before the holidays.
Mosko had no immediate comment on the matter. A spokesperson for Vine Investments did not immediately return a request for comment.
Mosko took the Vreg gig in 2018. Flushed with investment at the time, he grew the film and TV development teams and slates. He’s spent the better part of the last six...
Sources told Variety that Mosko left his role as chief executive officer in recent days. The company, a producer on films including “Joker” and “The Matrix,” has been suffering serious cash flow issues since last fall. Majority owned by Vine Investments, Variety reported in December that Village Roadshow was on the verge of sanctions from the WGA over missed payments. Those penalties went into effect right before the holidays.
Mosko had no immediate comment on the matter. A spokesperson for Vine Investments did not immediately return a request for comment.
Mosko took the Vreg gig in 2018. Flushed with investment at the time, he grew the film and TV development teams and slates. He’s spent the better part of the last six...
- 1/23/2025
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV


It can’t be denied that as far as martial arts movies go, the best ones come from Asia, particularly Hong Kong during their action heyday, which was arguably the 70s, 80s and first half of the ’90s. It’s tough to compete with the likes of the Shaw Brothers and the drunken master known as Jackie Chan. That said, martial arts movies were also making a foothold in the States decades ago, thanks mainly to Bruce Lee-mania following the release of Enter the Dragon. Before that movie, very few actors in Hollywood seemed like they were credible martial artists, except maybe James Coburn, a student of Lee’s, who pulled off some pretty good-looking moves in the otherwise silly Our Man Flint movies. Steve McQueen also had training but didn’t use martial arts on screen. Up to then, though, the most notable uses of martial arts in movies usually revolved around Judo,...
- 1/23/2025
- by Chris Bumbray
- JoBlo.com


Reading Time: 3 minutes
Millie Bobby Brown is turning heads and sparking playful interest from her followers.
Damsel is one of Netflix’s best original films, ever. And fans are always on the lookout for more Mbb projects.
At the moment, these same fans are more excited about what she’s teasing on social media.
Combining The Matrix aesthetics with bikini selfies, Mbb is invoking Star Wars and having the time of her life.
Millie Bobby Brown speaks onstage during Netflix’s The Electric State panel during New York Comic Con 2024 at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2024. (Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for ReedPop) What is Millie Bobby Brown up to?
In a new Instagram post, Millie Bobby Brown is showing off how much fun she and husband Jake Bongiovi are having.
It looks like the 20-year-old actress enjoyed a beach trip.
She captioned the photos: “In a galaxy far,...
Millie Bobby Brown is turning heads and sparking playful interest from her followers.
Damsel is one of Netflix’s best original films, ever. And fans are always on the lookout for more Mbb projects.
At the moment, these same fans are more excited about what she’s teasing on social media.
Combining The Matrix aesthetics with bikini selfies, Mbb is invoking Star Wars and having the time of her life.
Millie Bobby Brown speaks onstage during Netflix’s The Electric State panel during New York Comic Con 2024 at The Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on October 17, 2024. (Photo Credit: Craig Barritt/Getty Images for ReedPop) What is Millie Bobby Brown up to?
In a new Instagram post, Millie Bobby Brown is showing off how much fun she and husband Jake Bongiovi are having.
It looks like the 20-year-old actress enjoyed a beach trip.
She captioned the photos: “In a galaxy far,...
- 1/23/2025
- by Simon Delott
- The Hollywood Gossip

After a near three-year wait, the second season of Severance premiered last week on Apple TV+, and - as we fully expected it would - the episode raised more questions than it answered following that intense season 1 finale.
“Hello Ms. Cobel” also featured a surprise cameo from Constantine, The Matrix and John Wick star Keanu Reeves, which not everyone spotted.
If you haven't watched the premiere yet, spoilers follow.
At one point, Mark S and his colleagues are sat down and told to watch a "Lumon is Listening" video, which shows the Lumon building coming to life in animated form to reassure our protagonists that their happiness is of paramount importance.
A lot of viewers thought the building's voice sounded familiar, and series creator Dan Erickson has now confirmed that it was indeed the one and only Keanu Reeves.
“All I can say is that we talked about a couple...
“Hello Ms. Cobel” also featured a surprise cameo from Constantine, The Matrix and John Wick star Keanu Reeves, which not everyone spotted.
If you haven't watched the premiere yet, spoilers follow.
At one point, Mark S and his colleagues are sat down and told to watch a "Lumon is Listening" video, which shows the Lumon building coming to life in animated form to reassure our protagonists that their happiness is of paramount importance.
A lot of viewers thought the building's voice sounded familiar, and series creator Dan Erickson has now confirmed that it was indeed the one and only Keanu Reeves.
“All I can say is that we talked about a couple...
- 1/23/2025
- ComicBookMovie.com

The second season premiere of the Apple TV+ sci-fi thriller "Severance" offered plenty of things for its dedicated fans to obsess over. Did Lumon really celebrate the core four members of the Macrodata Refinement unit for attempting to rebel against their masters and tell the truth of the world of the innies? What exactly happened in the outside world when people found out about what it means to be severed? All of these questions feed into the various fan theories people have about "Severance" and what its intense mythology all means. Are the innies unknowingly working on a way to transfer human consciousness from one body to another? Maybe the goats seen in the first season are being bred to take over as humans in the outside world. And so on. But one specific theory -- that the innies are cogs in some grand simulation, one that may impact both...
- 1/22/2025
- by Josh Spiegel
- Slash Film

Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight series is the golden standard when it comes to modern superhero movies and trilogies. The two-time Oscar-winning director gave a series of Batman movies that offered deep narrative, realism, and character development.
He gave the audience the chance to witness a killer performance by Heath Ledger, bringing life to a chaotic character like the Joker, and making Batman more than just a man in a cape. The trilogy highlights Bruce Wayne’s emotional toll as he grapples with loss, betrayal, and the challenge of juggling his life as a billionaire by day and a vigilante by night.
A still from the Batman Dark Knight | Credits: Warner Bros
Despite the amazing storytelling and practical effects, some feel like the movie had uneven pacing, and the third installment did not live up to the prequels. While Nolan’s Batman series stands tall, it is not the only...
He gave the audience the chance to witness a killer performance by Heath Ledger, bringing life to a chaotic character like the Joker, and making Batman more than just a man in a cape. The trilogy highlights Bruce Wayne’s emotional toll as he grapples with loss, betrayal, and the challenge of juggling his life as a billionaire by day and a vigilante by night.
A still from the Batman Dark Knight | Credits: Warner Bros
Despite the amazing storytelling and practical effects, some feel like the movie had uneven pacing, and the third installment did not live up to the prequels. While Nolan’s Batman series stands tall, it is not the only...
- 1/22/2025
- by Rahul Biju
- FandomWire


Shadow (Keanu Reeves) in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 from Paramount Pictures and Sega of America, Inc. © 2024 Par. Pics & Sega At first, the pairing of Keanu Reeves and the Sonic the Hedgehog film series might seem to be an odd one. After all, he’s much better known for his action films, like the John Wick and The Matrix film franchises. But recently, Reeves has also done some voice work on other animated films, like 2019’s Toy Story 4 and 2022’s The DC League of Super Pets. So, when the Sonic producers sought him out as the voice of Shadow the Hedgehog, Reeves was receptive to their offer. And, when we spoke to Reeves about Sonic, he said he’s really impressed with the quality of the work that’s gone into the three films. (Click on the media bar below to hear Keanu Reeves.) https://www.hollywoodoutbreak.com/wp-content/uploads...
- 1/20/2025
- by Hollywood Outbreak
- HollywoodOutbreak.com

The Matrix 5 has been confirmed, but very few details about the film's plot have been revealed yet. It's unclear whether a story has been written, or even if an idea exists, but the project will surely be another inventive and subversive take on the franchise in the same vein as The Matrix: Resurrections. While this is exciting news, it will also be difficult for this sequel to live up to the heights of the movies that came before it. After everything that went wrong with The Matrix: Resurrections, the next film has lots of work to do.
Whether The Matrix 5 opts to be another sequel, a new prequel, or even a spinoff, it can't veer too far away from the existing formula if it wants to appease returning fans of the franchise. This is one mistake that the fourth installment made, trying so hard to be different and fresh that...
Whether The Matrix 5 opts to be another sequel, a new prequel, or even a spinoff, it can't veer too far away from the existing formula if it wants to appease returning fans of the franchise. This is one mistake that the fourth installment made, trying so hard to be different and fresh that...
- 1/20/2025
- by Jack Walters
- ScreenRant

The Lord of the Rings franchise will be returning with new films in the near future, but Elrond star Hugo Weaving won't be partaking. 2024 was an exciting year for Tolkien fans, with a new season of Prime Video's The Rings of Power and an animated film, War of the Rohirrim. However, the biggest and most unexpected announcement was that members of the original cast would be returning for a feature film centered around Gollum. The Hunt for Gollum is set to be released in 2026, with Andy Serkis directing and starring and Peter Jackson producing.
The return of Andy Serkis as Gollum implies that, unlike The Rings of Power, these new movies will be directly connected to the previous Lord of the Rings movies, especially in the era of shared universes. Ian McKellen is set to reprise his role as Gandalf, and questions have begun swirling around Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn,...
The return of Andy Serkis as Gollum implies that, unlike The Rings of Power, these new movies will be directly connected to the previous Lord of the Rings movies, especially in the era of shared universes. Ian McKellen is set to reprise his role as Gandalf, and questions have begun swirling around Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn,...
- 1/20/2025
- by Charles Papadopoulos
- ScreenRant

Will Smith could have been The Matrix's star. Smith is a renowned Hollywood star, having become a dominant star through his show, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. Initially, Smith was viewed as a comic, constrained to comedy alone. Quickly, however, he proved that he also had the potential to be an action star. He wet his feet with the action-comedy Bad Boys (1995), then appeared in the full-scale action feature, Independence Day (1996). He even appeared in Men in Black (1997) as a leading man. There was one sci-fi action movie, however, that he turned down: The Matrix (1999).
Rather than appear as Neo in The Matrix, Smith let the role go to Keanu Reeves. He turned his attention to Wild Wild West (1999), a Western that failed to earn a profit at the box office. 26 years after the movie's release, YouTuber Kh Studio put together a trailer that imagines what Smith might have...
Rather than appear as Neo in The Matrix, Smith let the role go to Keanu Reeves. He turned his attention to Wild Wild West (1999), a Western that failed to earn a profit at the box office. 26 years after the movie's release, YouTuber Kh Studio put together a trailer that imagines what Smith might have...
- 1/19/2025
- by Lukas Shayo
- ScreenRant


Even some of Hollywood’s biggest stars have some regrets about roles that they turned down over the years.
Stars have to make a tough choice every time a job offer comes in. They need to field a list of potential projects and decide which one seems the most promising and interesting to them. In the process, they might end up missing out on a chance to star in a project that becomes a serious blockbuster.
We previously rounded up 12 actors who nearly passed on what would become their most iconic roles. However, there are even more actors who did say “no thanks” to appearing in solid-gold hits.
For instance, someone turned down a role and wound up losing a $250 million payday! A pop icon had some regrets about passing on a chance to play Catwoman. One actress was even offered a chance to play Neo, a male role, in The Matrix!
Stars have to make a tough choice every time a job offer comes in. They need to field a list of potential projects and decide which one seems the most promising and interesting to them. In the process, they might end up missing out on a chance to star in a project that becomes a serious blockbuster.
We previously rounded up 12 actors who nearly passed on what would become their most iconic roles. However, there are even more actors who did say “no thanks” to appearing in solid-gold hits.
For instance, someone turned down a role and wound up losing a $250 million payday! A pop icon had some regrets about passing on a chance to play Catwoman. One actress was even offered a chance to play Neo, a male role, in The Matrix!
- 1/19/2025
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared

The Matrix green code that falls like rain throughout the film was inspired by a most unusual source. While some science fiction movies take too much time with exposition, the first The Matrix does an excellent job of dropping audiences into its unique and mind-bending world, providing just enough context clues for viewers to latch onto and find connections between them as the film goes on. From the nature of the machines in The Matrix to the falling green code that appears throughout the film, not everything is immediately explained in The Matrix.
That falling green code is an example of one of the many things about The Matrix that has aged well. The film's style is so unique and bold that even the sequels felt like they were copying the original. From the knee-length black trenchcoats to the sunglasses to the pills Neo (Keanu Reeves) takes to the green code,...
That falling green code is an example of one of the many things about The Matrix that has aged well. The film's style is so unique and bold that even the sequels felt like they were copying the original. From the knee-length black trenchcoats to the sunglasses to the pills Neo (Keanu Reeves) takes to the green code,...
- 1/18/2025
- by Zachary Moser
- ScreenRant

The A-List includes the best of the best actors in Hollywood, but that doesn't always mean the movies that book these top tier actors use them to the best of their abilities. While Hollywood is constantly churning out movies, and these can range in quality drastically, most blockbuster films from the big studios have a budget that allows them to book the most notable talent in the industry. As actors prove their worth in Hollywood, their prices go way up, and that means they take up a chunk of the budget.
However, while these actors may be able to claim a bigger paycheck from a large studio film, it's not always the case that the movies actually use them properly. Whether the character development was poor, the vision too small, or the people behind the camera simply failed to coax the actors' talents out, some movies with the biggest names...
However, while these actors may be able to claim a bigger paycheck from a large studio film, it's not always the case that the movies actually use them properly. Whether the character development was poor, the vision too small, or the people behind the camera simply failed to coax the actors' talents out, some movies with the biggest names...
- 1/18/2025
- by Ben Gibbons
- ScreenRant

Severance season 2 has finally arrived, and there are many reasons to celebrate. First and foremost, the Emmy-nominated show is back with new episodes on Apple TV+ after close to three years away. And of course, we're also getting answers to some of the show's biggest questions... while also asking even more questions about the various mysteries at Lumon.
Speaking of mysteries at Lumon Industries, the Severance season 2 premiere kept quite a massive secret from fans. The episode featured a cameo from an A-list movie star, but you might have missed his appearance. Did you happen to notice Keanu Reeves in the season 2 premiere? No? Well, neither did I! But The Matrix and John Wick star voiced the animated Lumon building.
In the episode, Milchick shows Mark, Helly, Dylan, and Irving an animated video featuring claymation versions of themselves explaining the Macrodat Uprising and the "reforms" Lumon will be making to...
Speaking of mysteries at Lumon Industries, the Severance season 2 premiere kept quite a massive secret from fans. The episode featured a cameo from an A-list movie star, but you might have missed his appearance. Did you happen to notice Keanu Reeves in the season 2 premiere? No? Well, neither did I! But The Matrix and John Wick star voiced the animated Lumon building.
In the episode, Milchick shows Mark, Helly, Dylan, and Irving an animated video featuring claymation versions of themselves explaining the Macrodat Uprising and the "reforms" Lumon will be making to...
- 1/17/2025
- by Reed Gaudens
- ShowSnob

In the age of streaming, there’s a widespread belief that every movie is available, all the time, everywhere. Don’t fall for it! Some of the greatest movies ever made are nowhere to be found due to everything from music rights snafus to corporate negligence. In this column, we take a look at films currently out-of-print on physical media and unavailable on any streaming platform in an effort to draw attention to them and say to their rights holders, “Release This!”
At the end of 1999, Entertainment Weekly ran a cover story titled “The Year That Changed Movies,” celebrating the abundance of highwire masterpieces that the American film industry seemed to be cranking out on a weekly basis that year. “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Magnolia,” “The Limey,” “Fight Club,” “Being John Malkovich,” “Election,” “Boys Don’t Cry”, “The Straight Story,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Bringing Out the Dead,” “The Matrix,” and “Three Kings” are just a random sampling,...
At the end of 1999, Entertainment Weekly ran a cover story titled “The Year That Changed Movies,” celebrating the abundance of highwire masterpieces that the American film industry seemed to be cranking out on a weekly basis that year. “Eyes Wide Shut,” “Magnolia,” “The Limey,” “Fight Club,” “Being John Malkovich,” “Election,” “Boys Don’t Cry”, “The Straight Story,” “The Sixth Sense,” “Bringing Out the Dead,” “The Matrix,” and “Three Kings” are just a random sampling,...
- 1/17/2025
- by Jim Hemphill
- Indiewire

Having been in the spotlight for several decades, Keanu Reeves has become one of the most admired actors in the industry, and two of his biggest franchises almost went head-to-head in 2021. Among his many exciting projects over the years, Reeves has become synonymous with two major action franchises which were both originally set to have sequels in the same year, and the results were completely one-sided. Long before Reeves voiced Sonic 3's Shadow the Hedgehog, the actor turned several films into big hits, but it was his work in The Matrix and John Wick that really stood out.
Both have become massive franchises - largely thanks to Reeves' performances - and have easily provided his more recognizable roles. The two series are full of personality and have fun concepts that have kept audiences returning for years to come. In addition, both Neo and John Wick are among Keanu Reeves' best-ever characters,...
Both have become massive franchises - largely thanks to Reeves' performances - and have easily provided his more recognizable roles. The two series are full of personality and have fun concepts that have kept audiences returning for years to come. In addition, both Neo and John Wick are among Keanu Reeves' best-ever characters,...
- 1/17/2025
- by Kyle McLeod
- ScreenRant

2003’s overlooked animated anthology movie The Animatrix only added to the legend of Carrie-Anne Moss’ character Trinity established by the live-action Matrix films. Written and produced by The Wachowskis for online release immediately after The Matrix Reloaded and before The Matrix Revolutions, The Animatrix features nine non-chronological animated shorts directed by some of the franchise creators’ favorite anime filmmakers.
Two of the shorts, in particular, focus on Trinity’s backstory, making her even cooler than when she appeared on the big screen in the original live-action Matrix trilogy. “A Detective Story” serves up the kind of coded messages and escapology the feature films lead you to expect from Trinity. Her minor role in “Kid’s Story”, meanwhile, portrays her hero status almost on a par with Neo.
The Animatrix’s “A Detective Story” Shows How Big Of A Threat Trinity Was To The Machines She Was Impossible To Catch And...
Two of the shorts, in particular, focus on Trinity’s backstory, making her even cooler than when she appeared on the big screen in the original live-action Matrix trilogy. “A Detective Story” serves up the kind of coded messages and escapology the feature films lead you to expect from Trinity. Her minor role in “Kid’s Story”, meanwhile, portrays her hero status almost on a par with Neo.
The Animatrix’s “A Detective Story” Shows How Big Of A Threat Trinity Was To The Machines She Was Impossible To Catch And...
- 1/17/2025
- by Guy Howie
- ScreenRant

The first episode of "Severance" season 2 had the unenviable task of following the show's spectacular season 1 finale, and instead of instantly providing answers, it immerses viewers back into some of the key mysteries established in season 1. The whole episode takes place within the Lumon office, with no glimpses at the outside world or what the characters there may be getting up to. The only clues we get are through exposition given to Mark S. (Adam Scott) and the rest of the gang, who are told that their temporary escape at the end of season 1 made them famous and has led to major reforms in working conditions for severed employees.
The events of the season 1 finale are recapped in an animated corporate instructional video, which is shown to the Macrodata Refinement (or Mdr) team after they all return to the office. Anyone who's seen "The Matrix" or "John Wick" likely perked...
The events of the season 1 finale are recapped in an animated corporate instructional video, which is shown to the Macrodata Refinement (or Mdr) team after they all return to the office. Anyone who's seen "The Matrix" or "John Wick" likely perked...
- 1/17/2025
- by Rick Stevenson
- Slash Film

Keanu Reeves has been one of Hollywood's biggest stars for decades now, with his filmography including incredible action movies, some of which changed the game forever. From his unforgettable role as Neo in The Matrix to his legendary run in the John Wick franchise, Reeves has delivered performances that redefined the action genre. Keanu Reeves is known for being incredibly dedicated to his roles, and it is no different for his action-orientated characters.
Ranking Reeves’ best action movies is thus no easy feat, as his repertoire boasts a lineup that any star would envy. From high-risk stunts to perfectly timed headshots, his performances are the stuff of legend, making it no surprise that a couple of his action titles are considered to be some of the best movies of all time. Whether his characters are excelling in martial arts, riding motorcycles, or dropping great lines, Reeves’ career is a masterclass...
Ranking Reeves’ best action movies is thus no easy feat, as his repertoire boasts a lineup that any star would envy. From high-risk stunts to perfectly timed headshots, his performances are the stuff of legend, making it no surprise that a couple of his action titles are considered to be some of the best movies of all time. Whether his characters are excelling in martial arts, riding motorcycles, or dropping great lines, Reeves’ career is a masterclass...
- 1/16/2025
- by Tena Tuzla
- ScreenRant

David Zaslav’s reputation in showbiz has been pretty tumultuous, to say the least. From announcing layoffs at TCM and kickstarting the trend of removing movies and shows from streaming platforms to canning finished movies like Batgirl and Coyote vs. Acme, Zaslav hasn’t exactly been the idea head.
David Zaslav at the Dealbook Summit | Credit: The NY Times/YouTube
While WB is gearing for an auteur-driven 2025, which includes works from PTA, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Bong Joon Ho, on the flip side, WB is reportedly bringing back two classic IPs that might risk ruining their legacy.
We don’t need sequels to beloved ’80s classics The Goonies | Credit: Warner Bros.
After milking the superhero glitch in the blockbuster landscape, in recent years, mainstream Hollywood has been attempting to find its next big cash cow, and legacy sequels seem to be right up their alley. Although certain legacy sequels, including WB’s Beetlejuice 2,...
David Zaslav at the Dealbook Summit | Credit: The NY Times/YouTube
While WB is gearing for an auteur-driven 2025, which includes works from PTA, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Bong Joon Ho, on the flip side, WB is reportedly bringing back two classic IPs that might risk ruining their legacy.
We don’t need sequels to beloved ’80s classics The Goonies | Credit: Warner Bros.
After milking the superhero glitch in the blockbuster landscape, in recent years, mainstream Hollywood has been attempting to find its next big cash cow, and legacy sequels seem to be right up their alley. Although certain legacy sequels, including WB’s Beetlejuice 2,...
- 1/15/2025
- by Santanu Roy
- FandomWire

From the messianic Neo to the nefarious Agent Smith, the Wachowskis created some of the most iconic characters ever to grace the silver screen for The Matrix franchise. The Matrix has become a staple of science fiction; terms like “The One” and “red pill” have entered the pop culture lexicon. It’s both a thought-provoking meditation on human existence and artificial intelligence, and a poignant religious allegory about a “chosen one” figure with impostor syndrome. As with any classic movie, part of what makes The Matrix so timeless is that its characters are so compelling and three-dimensional.
Not every character in The Matrix franchise is well-written and well-developed. Characters like the Keymaker and the Trainman exist purely to facilitate the plot. The Architect speaks exclusively in nonsensical hypotheticals and sounds like he carries around a thesaurus. But most of the characters in this ensemble are fascinating figures played by great actors,...
Not every character in The Matrix franchise is well-written and well-developed. Characters like the Keymaker and the Trainman exist purely to facilitate the plot. The Architect speaks exclusively in nonsensical hypotheticals and sounds like he carries around a thesaurus. But most of the characters in this ensemble are fascinating figures played by great actors,...
- 1/15/2025
- by Ben Sherlock
- ScreenRant
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