“Wake up, Will… the Matrix has you…” So read Will Smith’s social media earlier this month, leading to widespread speculation that he could finally be making a fantasy reality. Back in the late 1990s, the Independence Day and Bad Boys star famously passed on playing Neo in the eventual classic The Matrix. However, with a new film potentially on the way, everyone wondered if Smith was finally going to step into The Matrix. What if?
Well, that “what if” is now a reality. Smith just released a music video for the first single off his upcoming new album and, as expected, it’s centered wholly on The Matrix… including Smith’s regret at turning down the role (which, of course, ended up going to Keanu Reeves), and giving him a chance to see what some of the film’s most famous scenes would look like if he was in them. It’s a very fun watch.
Smith’s new video for “Beautiful Scars” is directed by his Bad Boys collaborators Adil El Arbi and Bilall Fallah. Check it out:
As someone who grew up with Smith’s music, I don’t think “Beautiful Scars” is quite the classic like a “Summertime,” “Gettin’ Jiggy With It” or “Men in Black.” But, it’s catchy and the music video is pretty incredible. I especially love the changes in video quality to make it look like it’s behind-the-scenes footage from the 1990s. That, combined with the bullet time effects paying homage to what the Wachowskis came up with for their film, really makes for something memorable.
As for that new Matrix movie, well, we don’t know what’s happening. Drew Goddard (Cabin in the Woods, The Martian) reportedly came up with a new spin on the story and is in the process of writing. Lana Wachowksi is on board as executive producer. So, we’d imagine, that’ll happen in the future. For now though, we have Will Smith’s tribute and it’s certainly fun.
Oh and don’t forget The Matrix Resurrections was super freaking awesome too.
Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what’s next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
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