Iconic Comedy Actress Recalls Bombing The Matrix Audition

Rosie Perez recently recalled bombing her audition for the massive science-fiction blockbuster, The Matrix. The actor got her start as Tina in Spike Lee’s 1989 acclaimed comedy-drama Do the Right Thing. Perez’s career took off with roles in White Men Can’t Jump, Fearless (1993), Untamed Heart, and DCU’s Birds of Prey. She also starred alongside Kaley Cuoco on HBO Max’s mystery thriller black comedy series, The Flight Attendant.

Speaking with Variety, Perez opened up about her awful audition for the role of Trinity in The Matrix, directed by the Wachowski siblings. Perez admitted her audition did not go as planned, exclaiming to the casting director her horrible performance. Her blunt honesty managed to break the tension in the room, causing everyone to laugh. Read what the actor said about her experience below:

“I was horrible. As I was walking out, I was like, ‘I know I didn’t get the job. I really sucked.’ And the Wachowskis were like, “No,” and the casting director was trying not to laugh. Then finally I looked at her and I go, ‘I really sucked,’ and she just burst out laughing. We all were laughing. I just gave the Wachowskis a hug and I said, ‘Well, good luck with this.'”

The Matrix Has A History Of Notable Auditions

Perez was among many famous actors who auditioned for Trinity in The Matrix. Bring it On and Bad Boys II star Gabrielle Union-Wade famously channeled Janet Jackson for her audition, going so far as to dress like the pop star. Right before the actor was set to audition, Jackson walked into the casting office for her chance at the part. Both Jackson and Union-Wade failed to get the role, allowing Salma Hayek, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Sandra Bullock an opportunity to star as the movie’s female lead. However, the role of Trinity eventually went to Carrie Ann-Moss, who gave an iconic performance as Neo’s protector and love interest.

Related: The Matrix Cast – Actors Who Almost Played The Main Characters

Although Pinkett Smith failed to land Trinity, yet managed to secure a key role in the sequels, her husband Will Smith was one of the Wachowskis’ top choices for Neo. The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air star was at his height in the mid-1990s, releasing multiple high-grossing blockbusters, including Bad Boys, Independence Day, Men in Black, and Enemy of the State. When faced with the sci-fi action movie’s outlandish high-concept and confusing description of bullet-time, Smith turned down The Matrix and gave up the role of Neo.

However, Smith feels that the movie was better without him due to the fact that the Wachowskis found a near-perfect cast with Keanu Reeves as Neo. Casting for a major motion picture is a difficult process that can take months to complete. The success of a film can hinge on many factors, including finding the right actors suitable for the movie’s parts. Although Smith, Union-Wade, and Perez missed out on their chance to star in The Matrix, the Wachowskis managed to find the right cast to make the film the cultural phenomenon that it is today.

Source: Variety