The Wachowskis are releasing a new movie next week, and that means it’s time to get nostalgic about their most iconic work, The Matrix.
The Matrix came out in 1999, and its groundbreaking special effects are still impressive more than 15 years later. At this point we all know about the Wachowkis’ “bullet time” technique, but how about some of the other things that went on behind the scenes?
This new video from Cinefix shows us seven cool facts about The Matrix, including a look at the mind-boggling array of A-list actors who turned down the role of Neo before Keanu Reeves was finally cast. Can you believe we almost saw Tom Cruise in that role? Or a just-finished-with-Titanic Leonardo DiCaprio? Or Ewan McGregor?
Honestly, the most shocking revelation may be that Keanu Reeves had spine surgery before filming. You never could have guessed just by watching the movie, even in the martial arts scenes.
Photo via Marcin Wichary/Wikimedia (CC BY 2.0)