The Matrix Resurrections brought back the movie franchise for the first time in 18 years, but I’m still vexed by the divisive legacy sequel’s decision to try and add to the saga without the presence of an iconic figure. Resurrections only reunited select members of the original Matrix trilogy cast. As well as adding to the list of actors who played Agent Smith, the 2021 movie tried other creative ways to account for key absences. I quite liked the movie as a whole, but I found it difficult to focus on the story being told due to the overhauled personnel.

Thankfully, Keanu Reeves returned to lead the Matrix Resurrections cast as Thomas “Neo” Anderson. So, along with the comeback of Carrie-Anne Moss’ Trinity and a handful of other exciting cameos, the movie did have a good level of consistency, all things considered. That said, the movie did make at least one unforgivable decision after what would have been an excellent plan ultimately fell through. It hurt the movie mᴀssively, and I’m still convinced it’s a big reason why so many don’t like The Matrix Resurrections​​​​​.

The Matrix Resurrections’ Smith Twist Didn’t Work And Made The Movie Worse

Jonathon Groff replaced Hugo Weaving as Smith

Jonathon Groff was set up to fail as Smith. There was absolutely nothing wrong with his performance. It’s just that asking such a devoted fan base to accept Groff’s version of Smith as the new norm was always going to be an incredibly tall order. Introducing him as a new character only for it to turn out he was actually Smith fell flat for me as a twist. For whatever reason, writer/director Lana Wachowski thought thrusting what was essentially a brand-new character into the saga while expecting fans to accept it was Smith was a good decision.

Originally played by Hugo Weaving, Agent Smith was technically replaced by three actors in Resurrections, proving just how difficult it was to account for the absence of Weaving’s brilliant performance. Speaking with Collider, Weaving confirmed he was originally part of Wachowski’s Resurrection‘s plan, but a scheduling conflict paired with the director’s unwillingness to “change her dates” resulted in Weaving’s return not being possible. So, Groff was brought aboard to step in as a new iteration of the sci-fi villain.

No One Would Have Been Able To Replace Hugo Weaving As Smith In A Matrix Movie

The original Agent Smith made too much of an impression to just be swapped out

Although it wasn’t a great replacement, The Matrix Resurrections‘ gimmicky attempt to swap out Weaving for Groff was probably one of the only ways Smith could have made an appearance in the legacy sequel. Casting another actor in the role to replace Weaving’s version of the character also wouldn’t have been the same, and it would arguably have been very disrespectful to Weaving’s work bringing the villain to such prominence in popular culture. On the other hand, one actor had already quietly proven they may have been capable of taking the reins from Weaving.

In 2002’s The Matrix Revolutions, Ian Bliss took on the dual role of both Bane and Smith’s Real World vessel. Even now, I’m still in awe of how well Bliss managed to emulate Weaving’s inflections and overall demeanor as Smith, so he could have been a good stand-in for Weaving in Resurrections​​​. Having said that, Bliss’ performance only really worked because Weaving was also in the movie, so it would have felt a bit cheap to only have Bliss in Resurrections.

The Matrix Resurrections Would Have Been Better Off Without Smith Altogether

Smith could easily have been left out of the 2021 movie

Although I understand Lana Wachowski’s desire to have Smith return in some form in The Matrix Resurrections, I find it very hard to believe that a universe as creative as the one she helped build couldn’t thrive in Weaving’s or Smith’s absence. Seeing Neo facing off/teaming up with a completely new figure would have been more rewarding than the shadow of the legendary villain that ultimately made it into the legacy sequel. Groff proved he could have played an excellent Matrix villain, but it didn’t need to be Smith.

Resurrections repeated its mistake by recasting Morpheus, introducing Yahya Abdul-Mateen II in place of Laurence Fishburne. With Fishburne’s character revealed to have died offscreen a long time ago, the movie didn’t need to recast the character in such a meta way. Having Reeves and Moss back was enough to pull off a project like Resurrections, but trying to replace Weaving and Laurence pulled attention away from the movie’s returning stars. Hopefully, the incoming follow-up to The Matrix Resurrections will learn from its predecessor’s mistakes.

Source: Collider