Jada Pinkett Smith Wanted Will Smith to take 'Matrix' role The actor was approached to play Neo in the 1999 sci-fi film, but he famously turned it down. Jada was disappointed because she wanted him to take the role. She knew in her gut that the film would be "revolutionary." Jada Pinkett Smith, to 'EW' Smith recently said he turned down the part because he wasn't happy with the pitch by the film's writers. Will Smith, via YouTube