Hugo Weaving, famous for his portrayal of iconic characters in numerous blockbuster films, held a prominent role as Agent Smith in the first three installments of The Matrix series. The character’s cold, robotic demeanor coupled with an increasingly egotistical nature made Agent Smith a standout figure. And despite apparent demise in the initial movie, the Wachowski siblings recognized the character’s appeal, leading to his return and transformation into a multi-faceted antagonist in the sequels Reloaded and Revolutions.

Hugo Weaving as Agent Smith

However, fans were puzzled when news surfaced that Weaving wouldn’t be reprising his role as Agent Smith in The Matrix Resurrections.

Hugo Weaving revealed his reservations about the script for the sequel

The Matrix Resurrections introduced Jonathan Groff as the new face of the iconic character of Agent Smith. This decision raised questions about the choice to replace Hugo Weaving while bringing back the character to the series.

In a 2020 interview with Slash Film, Weaving emphasized the importance of a compelling creative rationale for a fourth Matrix film. He stated, “I had some reservations about going back into the Matrix. I really wanted to know why we were doing it and what’s to be gained, apart from making money.”

Hugo Weaving, Keanu Reeves, The Matrix Reloaded – 2003
Moreover, after perusing the script for Resurrections and participating in a table read with Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss, Weaving revealed in another interview that he found elements of the script appealing but remained uncertain about certain aspects, “I loved a lot of it and wasn’t sure about other bits.” 

Though Weaving didn’t specify his reservations, the mixed reception of the final film suggests various potential sticking points. Resurrections, while providing a satisfying conclusion to the series for many, incorporated elements that divided the audiences. Agent Smith’s motivations in the film, for instance, were deemed puzzling by some viewers. However, Weaving iterated that this was not the primary factor that kept him apart from the sequel.

Hugo Weaving shared what exactly came in the way of him reassuming the role of Agent Smith

Nonetheless, Weaving’s hesitations about the script weren’t the primary factor behind his absence. The pivotal reason was a scheduling conflict; Weaving was engaged in another project during the majority of Resurrections filming. Although there were discussions about filming Weaving’s scenes at a later date, these attempts fell through. Director Lana Wachowski determined that the scheduling conflict couldn’t be reconciled due to Weaving’s commitments to the National Theatre. Weaving said,

“I thought we could have done my scenes in May, June, and July…but ultimately director Lana Wachowski decided it wasn’t going to work. She basically didn’t feel that my commitment to the National Theatre was going to fit in with the dates that she had in mind for me.”

Jonathan Groff The Matrix Resurrections
Consequently, the script was revised to present a transformed Agent Smith, portrayed by Jonathan Groff. This upgraded version of the character displayed a more nuanced, chaotic-neutral disposition. While Groff’s portrayal delivered a fresh perspective on Agent Smith, it also retained an air of suspense around the character’s early reveal in the film.

While fans may have yearned to witness Weaving reprise his role as Agent Smith, the creative decision to cast Groff instead of Weaving didn’t negatively impact the movie’s reception. The Matrix Resurrections remained a compelling watch despite this change, showcasing the enduring allure of the franchise.