Brad Pitt Reveals He Passed on Keanu Reeves' Role in The Matrix: ‘I Took the Red Pill’

Brad Pitt almost took Keanu Reeves‘ most famous role.

The actor, who is up for Best Supporting Actor at the 2020 Oscars for last year’s Once Upon a Time in… Hollywood, recently revealed he passed on the 1999 movie The Matrix.

The actor, 56, shared the tidbit during a talk at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival, where he received the Maltin Modern Master Award.

“I’ll give you one, only one, because I really believe it was never mine,” Pitt said after initially refusing to share any roles he’d passed on. “It’s not mine. It’s someone else’s and they go and make it. I really do believe in that. I really do. But I did pass on the Matrix. I took the red pill.”

Will Smith also famously passed on starring in the mega-blockbuster in favor of Wild Wild West, which flopped with critics and the at box office.

RELATED: Why Will Smith Turned Down The Matrix for Wild Wild West: ‘I’m Not Proud of It’

The actor, who can currently be seen in Bad Boys for Life, revealed his regret at passing on the role in a video posted to his YouTube page.

“I’d go back to the Wild Wild West [set] and I would say, ‘A–hole, why didn’t you do The Matrix?” Smith joked when asked what he would tell his younger self.

Other stars like Nicolas Cage, Val Kilmer, and Johnny Depp were also reportedly considered to play Neo, but the role, of course, went to Reeves. The movie redefined Reeves’ career, winning numerous awards and inspiring a hit franchise, with a fourth installment currently shooting.

RELATED: Whoa! Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss Will Reunite for Matrix 4 — 20 Years After Original

Reeves told Entertainment Tonight last year that he’s “absolutely” excited about returning to the role that made him a household name. And although he kept quiet about the plot of the upcoming fourth installment in the movie franchise, Reeves did give one small hint.

“It’s very ambitious,” Reeves said. “As it should be!”

Reeves will once again star as Neo in the recently-announced Matrix 4 alongside Carrie-Anne Moss, which will reunite the two stars with writer and director Lana Wachowski, who was also behind the first three movies along with sister Lily Wachowski.