No, Will Smith Isn’t Starring in a New Matrix Movie

earlier today, Will Smith took to Instagram to casually share some news with his nearly 70 million followers. The reel, which you can watch below, recaps The superstar’s infamous career decision Picked back in 1997 wild wild west Over matrix. “What will happen matrix Has Will Smith become like Neo?”, the post asks, then adds “Wake up, Will… in the Matrix you are…”

Without any captions or context—most people already knew Smith refused matrixWhich became a genre-defining blockbuster, and one can laugh at how wild wild west As it turned out—the post immediately ignited speculation across the Internet.

The most obvious response would be that Will Smith is making a fresh appearance matrix Movie-and such a project is really working. According to News that broke last yearDrew Goddard (The Martian, The Cabin in the Woods) Written and directed by Pancham matrix The film is executive produced with series co-creator Lana Wachowski. At the time, no casting or story details were shared, and still are—and that includes anything related to Smith’s involvement.

After her Instagram post went viral, io9 reached out to Warner Bros., but the company — which owns matrix-I don’t know what Smith is talking about. A similar “Uh, no” response came from Hollywood Reporter film editor Aaron Crouch, who tweeted through his personal X account That “Will Smith is not starring in the new film matrix movie.”

another business, diversity“Will Smith Isn’t Starring in New matrix Movie, so is he teasing any neo-related projects? While some on the Internet have speculated that it might be tied to a Super Bowl commercial—the game is Feb. 9, so it’s time to start dropping hints—the publication’s theory is that it has something to do with Smith. other Career: “It looks like his cyberpunk-related venture will likely involve music, as Smith teases that he’s getting ready to drop his first album in 20 years.”

Smith, who won the Oscar for 2021 King RichardAn honor forever linked to one of the strangest moments in Oscar broadcast history — played recently Bad Boys: Ride or DieHis fourth bad boys Buddy-cop movie opposite Martin Lawrence.

What are your thoughts on Smith’s Neo recovery? Do you think new music is coming, or something else?

Want more io9 news? See when the latest is expected Marvel, Star WarsAnd Star Trek What’s next for the release? The DC Universe in Film and TVAnd everything you need to know about its future Who is the doctor?.