Will Smith Announces Solo Album "Based on a True Story"
Yara Sameh
Will Smith and rapper Big Sean have released the song 'Beautiful Scars,' featuring OBanga, along with a 'Matrix'-inspired music video.
The actor has also announced that he will be dropping a new solo album, 'Based on a True Story' — his first full length album release in over 20 years. The album is slated for a March 2025 release.
'Beautiful Scars,' produced by OmArr and LeXoskeleton, explores the pains of fame and learning from one's mistakes.
In the music video, Smith takes on the role of Neo, the character made famous by Keanu Reeves in the 1999 sci-fi classic 'The Matrix,' while Big Sean steps into the shoes of Morpheus, originally portrayed by Laurence Fishburne.
Earlier this month, Smith posted a cryptic message on Instagram, where he recalled his decision to pass on the role of Neo (which ultimately went to Reeves) in 'The Matrix.'
'In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in 'The Matrix.' Smith turned it down,' his Instagram video, written in third-person, reads. '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?'
The video then ends with the text: 'Wake up, Will. The matrix has you.'
In 2019, Smith posted a video on his YouTube channel where he explained why he turned down the role of Neo in 'The Matrix.'
He revealed that the Wachowskis' pitch for the film didn't appeal to him, which led to his lack of interest in the project.
According to Smith, the Wachowski siblings tried to sell him on the filmmaking style rather than the plot of 'The Matrix.' Smith said the pitch went as follows: 'We're thinking, like… imagine you're in a fight. You, like, jump. Imagine if you could stop jumping in the middle of the jump. But then, people could see around you 360 degrees while you stop jumping. We're going to invent these cameras, and then people can see the whole jump when you stop in the middle of the jump.'
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