Will Smith has sparked excitement on social media with a mysterious post that has fans speculating he might appear in the next Matrix movie.

The actor shared a set of intriguing lines alluding to the legendary 1999 sci-fi film, directed by Lana Wachowski and Lilly Wachowski, hinting at the possibility of taking on the role of Neo—a part he famously declined more than 20 years ago.

The post read, "In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in The Matrix. He chose Wild Wild West, believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would The Matrix have been like with Will Smith as Neo?" It concluded with the words, "Wake up Will... The Matrix has you..."

While the post generated significant buzz, with many speculating that Smith was gearing up to return to the Matrix universe, sources have clarified that Smith is not attached to the new Matrix project currently in development at Warner Bros.

Instead, the tease is related to his upcoming music project, marking his return to the music industry after nearly two decades. Will Smith, who hasn't released an album since Lost and Found in 2005, is preparing new music for his fans.

While The Matrix went on to become a cult classic and a critical and commercial hit, Wild Wild West (1999) flopped at the box office. The Matrix went on to become a blockbuster franchise consisting of three sequels, 2003’s The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions and 2021’s The Matrix Resurrections, and counting. Keanu Reeves became a famous name worldwide with her career defining performance as Neo.

Smith gained prominence as a rapper and the lead in the ’90s sitcom The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, later establishing himself as one of the biggest movie stars globally with blockbuster hits like Independence Day, Men in Black, I Am Legend, and Bad Boys, among others. He most recently starred in 2024’s Bad Boys: Ride or Die. It marked his first big screen appearance after he slapped host Chris Rock on stage at the 2022 Oscars.

Goddard, known for his work as the writer-director of The Martian, The Cabin in the Woods, and World War Z, was chosen last year to write and direct a new Matrix installment for Warner Bros. This marks the first Matrix film not directed by a Wachowski sibling, though Lana Wachowski will still be involved as an executive producer.