The Matrix wanted Sandra Bullock as Neo before Reeves took the role

The Matrix producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura has revealed that before Keanu Reeves was chosen to play Neo, he initially wanted Sandra Bullock for the role. Di Bonaventura, whose filmography includes discovering the cult classic sci-fi franchise at Warner Bros and Transformers film series, said there were far more than two options to choose from.
Several A-listers including Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio and Will Smith were considered for the part.
“We went out to so many people I don’t remember. We were getting desperate. We went to Sandy Bullock and said ‘We’ll change Neo to a girl.’ (Producer) Joel Silver and I worked with Sandy on ‘Demolition Man’ and she was and continues to be a very good friend of mine.
“It was pretty simple. We sent her the script to see if she was interested in it. And if she was interested in it we would try to make the change,” he said. (PTI)