Recasting the Matrix

The Matrix was first in theaters on March 31, 1999, a little over ten years ago. I'm a little late on this, as there were a bunch of tributes to the film around its anniversary three months ago.

Anywho, last year I entered this "recasting" contest on the website SpoutBlog. They had sponsored a bunch of these contests where readers would send in new cast lists for famous movies, like Caddyshack. I decided to enter and, lo and behold, I got second place, which netted me a T-shirt and a free DVD (it was Amelie). So, in reference to the tenth anniversary of The Matrix, I'm republishing my second-place entry.

Here's the original cast list just to jog your memory:

Keanu Reeves ... Neo
Laurence Fishburne ... Morpheus
Carrie-Anne Moss ... Trinity
Hugo Weaving ... Agent Smith
Gloria Foster ... Oracle
Joe Pantoliano ... Cypher
Marcus Chong ... Tank
Julian Arahanga ... Apoc
Matt Doran ... Mouse
Belinda McClory ... Switch
Anthony Ray Parker ... Dozer
Paul Goddard ... Agent Brown
Robert Taylor ... Agent Jones

And here's my winning entry with comments from the contest-runners at the beginning:

Second place: wadetown for his BBC production. My favorite part is Alan Rickman as Agent Smith--that guy always brings a campy danger to his villainous roles. And I'd love to see Paddy Considine (one of the two Andy's in Hot Fuzz) play Cypher. Considine has an uncouth charm, always greasy-looking and sporting bad facial hair.

The BBC presents The Matrix

Clive Owen ... Neo

When you think about it, this would be a lot like his role in Children of Men. A disillusioned character frustrated with his reality, except with a lot less baby-protecting and a lot more kung fu.

Sir Ben Kingsley ... Morpheus

Morpheus has to be bald.

Cate Blanchett ... Trinity

She can wear her wig from Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

Alan Rickman ... Agent Smith

This pick hinges on the availability of using a time machine to go back and get the Hans Gruber Alan Rickman from Die Hard.

Dame Judi Dench ... Oracle

A small role for her, but since its Judi Dench she'd probably get nominated for an Oscar.

Paddy Considine ... Cypher

Something about Paddy Considine screams for a role as a double-crossing weasel.

Chiwetel Ejiofor ... Tank

Not much reasoning behind this pick other than the Zion-born humans should be healthy and attractive.

Steve Coogan ... Apoc

Bringing much needed comic relief to this movie.

Freddie Highmore ... Mouse

His first adult role. And I really want to see him whip out two huge machine guns right before his character gets killed.

Thandie Newton ... Switch

Colin Salmon ... Dozer

My only obscure selection. He was in a couple of the Pierce Brosnan Bond films I believe. Plus he kind of looks like Chiwetel Ejiofor's brother.

Jeremy Irons ... Agent Brown

Another Die Hard villiain as an agent.

Hugh Laurie ... Agent Jones

For some reason, all my agents ended up being the snide, sarcastic Brits.