Johnny Deep was reportedly the first choice for the Wachowskis, but Warner Bros. pushed for Val Kilmer or Pitt.
In some alternative reality, we’d associate Brad Pitt with the name Neo instead of Keanu Reeves.
This is a strange one to imagine, Reeves helped make The Matrix iconic and propelled his career into the current Keanuissance we’re living in today.
When they both turned down the role, the studio placed young Reeves into the mix and he nabbed the gig over Depp thanks to his deep interest in the film’s concept.