Matrix 4: Hugo Weaving Speaks About Not Being Able To Appear In The Movie

Actor Hugo Weaving will not reprise his role as Agent Smith in The Matrix 4 due to a scheduling conflict. This much he confirmed earlier. But now, the actor has now shared some further insight on missing out on the long-awaited sequel.

Speaking to Collider, Weaving said he was initially hesitant when he got the call from Lana Wachowski about coming back for The Matrix 4, but he was won over after reading the script and seeing the offer. However, due to his commitments on the stage play The Visit in London overlapping with the planned shoot, Weaving was not able to do The Matrix 4.

"Lana was very keen for me to be a part of that. I really wanted to 'cause I'm very, very fond of all of them," Weaving said. "I had some initial reticence about the idea of going back to revisit The Matrix, after having already done three films, but then I read the script and got an offer to my agent. I immediately responded yes to that, and then we went into negotiation."

"I was doing a play at the time, but we were working out dates and things so that I could do both," he added. "And then, Lana decided that she didn't wanna change her dates, so I couldn't do it. In a nutshell, that's what happened."

Although Weaving won't be part of the cast, The Matrix 4 brings back Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith from the earlier films. New cast members for the sequel include Jonathan Groff, Priyanka Chopra, and Neil Patrick Harris, among others.

Wachowski helmed the previous three Matrix movies with sister Lilly. The first Matrix movie brought in $463.5 million worldwide, and it spawned two sequels: 2003's Matrix Reloaded--grossing $742.1 million worldwide--and Matrix Revolutions--taking in $427.3 million worldwide. For more, check out The Matrix Sequels' 34 Dumbest Moments to relive the weirdness.