Smith said he struggled to visualize the final product from that pitch and couldn’t connect to it at the time. The role then went to Keanu Reeves, who helped turn The Matrix into a global sci-fi phenomenon and a long-running franchise
Hollywood star Will Smith has revealed that he turned down the lead role in Christopher Nolan’s Inception—a decision he now admits was rooted in confusion over the film’s complex narrative. In a candid conversation with UK radio station Kiss Xtra, Smith shared: “I don’t think I’ve ever said it publicly, but I’m going to say it because we’re opening up to one another. Chris Nolan brought me Inception first, and I didn’t get it.”
The sci-fi thriller, which ultimately starred Leonardo DiCaprio, became one of the most iconic films of the 2010s. Known for its layered plot involving shared dream worlds, Inception grossed over $839 million worldwide and solidified Nolan’s reputation for cerebral blockbusters. Smith acknowledged that movies exploring alternate realities can be difficult to grasp in early stages. “Those movies that go into alternate realities… they don’t pitch well. But I am hurt by those too,” he said, reflecting on the missed opportunity.
Sources have indicated that Brad Pitt was initially Nolan’s first choice for the lead role, but he declined. Smith was next in line, but after passing on the project, the role eventually went to DiCaprio—who turned it into one of his most memorable performances. This isn’t the first time Smith has admitted to walking away from a major role. One of his most talked-about career regrets remains declining the role of Neo in The Matrix, which later went to Keanu Reeves and launched a global franchise. While Smith has enjoyed a stellar career of his own with box-office hits like Men in Black, Independence Day, and King Richard (which earned him an Oscar), he remains open about the high-profile roles that got away—and the lessons they taught him.
Missed Matrix and Django Roles Still Sting
Alongside Inception, Will Smith also turned down two other now-iconic roles: Neo in The Matrix and Django in Django Unchained—and both decisions continue to linger as career what-ifs. In the same interview, Smith confessed that rejecting The Matrix was even more painful than turning down Inception. “It hurts too bad to talk about,” he admitted.
Smith had previously posted a 2019 YouTube video explaining why he declined the role of Neo. According to him, the Wachowski siblings, who wrote and directed The Matrix, pitched the film in a way that focused heavily on their intended visual style rather than the story.
He recalled the conversation: “We’re thinking, like, imagine you’re in a fight. You jump… then you stop jumping in the middle of the jump. But people can see around you 360 degrees while you stop. We’re going to invent these cameras so people can see the whole jump.”
Smith said he struggled to visualize the final product from that pitch and couldn’t connect to it at the time. The role then went to Keanu Reeves, who helped turn The Matrix into a global sci-fi phenomenon and a long-running franchise.
Another big project Smith turned down was Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. Tarantino offered him the title role, which eventually went to Jamie Foxx. The film was both a critical and commercial success, earning two Academy Awards and cementing Foxx’s place in modern cinema history.
While Smith doesn’t dwell on the past, he’s candid about his missteps. His reflections highlight the unpredictability of Hollywood decision-making—where one missed opportunity can become another actor’s breakthrough moment. Yet Smith’s transparency about his career choices shows a rare humility in an industry driven by ego and image. Whether it’s turning down reality-bending dreamscapes, red-pill awakenings, or Western revenge tales, Smith’s missed roles only add to the fascination around one of Hollywood’s most charismatic stars.
