Will Smith has released a new music video referencing him turning down the lead role in 1999’sThe Matrix. The sci-fi smash hit, which was directed by The Wachowskis, starred Keanu Reeves as Neo, the Chosen One who is humanity’s only hope at breaking free from imprisonment in a virtual reality. However, Reeves' role intheMatrixcastnearly went to Smith, but the actor - who had recently been the star of the hit sci-fi moviesIndependence DayandMen in Black- said no to the offer.
Will Smithhas now released a new music video for a song titled “Beautiful Scars,” which he performs with Big Sean and OBanga. The video, which opens with a now infamous clip of him reflecting on turning down the role of Neo inThe Matrix,gives him the opportunity to finally play a version of Neo after more than 25 years. It opens with Big Sean dressed as Laurence Fishburne’s Matrix character Morpheus and offering Smith red and blue pills. Taking the red pill would allow him the chance to reverse his biggest career regret.
Though that regret is turning downThe Matrix,this sequence does nod to the infamous Oscars moment where Smith slapped presenter Chris Rockafter Rock joked about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith’s shaved head. After Smith takes both pills, the music video properly kicks off with Smith in Neo’s outfit, performing the song (which also includes lyrical reference toThe Matrix) as he recreates various iconic scenes from the 1999 movie, some of which are presented as faux behind-the-scenes footage. See the video below:
What This Means For Will Smith
It’s A Throwback In Multiple Ways
The release of this music videooffers full closure after the release of a mysterious teaserthat Smith shared on his official Instagram account in early January. The cryptic video, which clearly referencedWill Smith turning downThe Matrixand potentially getting a chance to reverse his decision, led to speculation that he would be starring in a new movie in the franchise. These rumors were later categorically denied byThe Hollywood Reporter’sAaron Couch, though Couch did not explain exactly what the video was teasing.
[Will Smith] has not released a studio album since 2005…
While Smith has not signed on to any futureMatrixmovies, this music videoengages with the actor’s legacy in a second important way. In addition to paying homage to one way his onscreen career could have panned out, “Beautiful Scars” cements his return to music. Although he first became famous as a rapper, he has not released a studio album since 2005. Additionally, before 2024, he had not starred in a music video since being featured in Yasha Malekzad’s “Live It Up” and Carlos Pérez’s “Está Rico” in 2018.
Our Take On The New Will Smith Music Video
He Never Needed The Matrix
While the references toThe Matrixin this video bring Will Smith’s career full circle, he never needed the Wachowski movie to help his career. This may not have seemed to be the case in 1999 when his own sci-fi movieWild Wild Westbecame a notorious critical and commercial flop. However, he went on to star in major titles includingI Am Legend,Suicide Squad, andAladdin(2019), eventually winning an Oscar for his performance inKing Richard, provinghe never needed to play Neo to springboard his career.
