Brad Pitt Reveals the Famous Role He Turned Down

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Brad Pitt is known for many iconic movie roles, but recently, people are talking about one he chose not to take. At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the Oscar-winning actor discussed roles he’d passed up over the years.

He revealed he turned down the lead role of Neo in the 1999 film The Matrix, a decision that surprised many sci-fi fans. Pitt jokingly referenced a key moment from the movie, saying he “took the red pill” and chose to walk away.

Interestingly, the studio initially wanted Pitt for the part before Keanu Reeves became famous for it. Pitt clarified he was only offered the first Matrix film, and humbly added that if he hadn’t been chosen, it simply wasn’t meant to be.

Brad Pitt’s decision to turn down a role in The Matrix stems from his personal approach to acting, developed over years in Hollywood. He felt the part simply wasn’t meant for him, and that the actor who ultimately played it was the right fit.

This mindset has allowed him to pass on many potentially great films – he jokes he could tell stories about them for two whole nights! It’s surprising, considering how influential The Matrix became with its groundbreaking visual effects and thought-provoking themes.

Though it’s hard to picture Pitt as Neo, his involvement would have certainly altered the feel of the series. Instead, he starred in Fight Club that same year, another iconic film that captured the spirit of the late 90s.

Even as he nears his mid-60s, Brad Pitt remains incredibly active. He recently finished filming a $200 million Netflix sequel to Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, titled The Adventures of Cliff Booth, with direction from David Fincher and a script by Quentin Tarantino. Currently, he’s in Greece filming the drama The Riders, directed by Edward Berger. Plus, his 2025 racing film, F1, was a huge hit and is now a leading contender for awards at the Academy Awards.

Despite Brad Pitt not being involved, the world of The Matrix is expanding. A fifth movie is in the very early stages of development, with Drew Goddard, who wrote The Martian, slated to direct. It’s still uncertain whether Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will reprise their iconic roles.

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2026-02-25 03:14