From prophesied saviors to sentient computer programs,The Matrixis filled with interesting characters of various descriptions, but the sci-fi franchise wasted one of its best figures by confining them to the saga’s worst entry.Certain characters feature only briefly in theMatrixbut leave a lasting impact, whereas others make their mark by featuring heavily as main characters. The figure in question is an odd blend of those two categories, and their return in otherThe Matrixmoviesfurther down the line could have been incredibly rewarding.
Theending of the originalMatrixtrilogybrought the initial era of the beloved sci-fi franchise to its conclusion. Although it’s not one of themost consistent movie trilogies of all time, it still manages to tell an epic post-apocalyptic tale about the resilience of the human spirit. The 2021 legacy sequel,The Matrix Resurrections, didn’t do particularly well at the box office or with critics. However, it did revive the long-dormant franchise, and theconfirmation ofThe Matrix5means the saga still isn’t over. Unfortunately, the chance for one really interesting character to return has long gone.
Ian Bliss As Bane Did An Incredible Job As Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith In The Matrix Revolutions
Bliss was tasked with the difficult job of stepping into Weaving’s shoes (with Weaving in the same movie)
Although initially cast as Bane in 2003’sThe Matrix Reloaded, Ian Bliss' presence in the franchise’s first sequel turned out to be much more than it seemed. Eventually,Bliss became the Real World vessel for Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith, meaning the nemesis of Keanu Reeves' Thomas “Neo” Anderson was able to interact directly with reality outside the Matrix. Bliss' impersonation of Hugo Weaving playing Agent Smith is an incredibly underrated performance and is easily one of the best facets of the original trilogy’s final installment,The Matrix Revolutions.
Bliss perfectly imitates the body language, movement, voice, and cadence of Hugo Weaving’s performance as Agent Smith.
Bliss perfectly imitates the body language, movement, voice, and cadence of Hugo Weaving’s performance as Agent Smith. Of course, the two actors' physical resemblance to one another certainly aids in creating the illusion, but it only really comes together because of Bliss' role in it all.The Matrix Revolutionsmade the disappointing decision to take the story almost entirely into the Real World. As such, Weaving’s screen time is severely reduced when held up against the previous two movies. Therefore,Bliss' Agent Smith strangely becomes more prominent for large stretches ofRevolutions.
1999
83%
2003
74%
33%
2021
63%
Bliss' shift from Bane to Smith is one of the shining lights ofThe Matrix Revolutions. As easily the lowest-ratedThe Matrixmovie onRotten Tomatoes, it’s not unreasonable to say the film would be remembered even more poorly than it already is if it hadn’t been for Bliss' fascinatingly accurate emulation of Weaving’s iconic sci-fi villain, and taking the character to new places.
Bliss' Perfect Weaving Impression Created A Weird Neo Problem
Watching Neo struggle to identify Bane as Smith is frustratingly awkward
Neo’s naivety in 1999’sThe Matrixis understandable, as he’s only just been pulled from the Matrix and thrust into the macabre reality of the Real World. So, it would be easy for someone to deceive him. Luckily, he’s surrounded by individuals who view Reeves' character as a kind of digital messiah, and they guide him through his new existence. Although only six months pass betweenThe Matrixand the next two movies, Neo is far more experienced, and he should really notice Bane’s drastic personality change, and who he has become.
Revolutionstakes things a little too far by having Bliss' Smith address Neo as “Mr. Anderson,” in exactly the same way as Weaving’s version of the character would do.
Although Bane’s body language and voice may have been understandably difficult to interpret as a threat,Revolutionstakes things a little too far by having Bliss' Smith address Neo as “Mr. Anderson,” in exactly the same way as Weaving’s version of the character would do.Neo just staring blankly and being unable to work out what is happening hurts his character, and makes him look every inch the newcomer he was inThe Matrix. Smith is the only character who calls Neo by that particular title, so it should have been the final step to Neo noticing what had happened.
Bliss' Agent Smith Performance Wouldn’t Have Been Possible Without Weaving’s Strong Character Work
The original Agent Smith remains the best
Ian Bliss' flawless Hugo Weaving impression deserves far more praise than it generally gets, but he wouldn’t have been able to offer such a brilliant performance had it not been for Agent Smith’s original actor laying just strong groundwork.Weaving’s various quirks and signature line readings gave Bliss a huge amount to latch onto. AlthoughThe Matrixisn’t a franchise that’s particularly known for its big, zany performances, Weaving found a brilliant way to strike a balance between borderline irreverence and the series' dark tone.
Another actor originating the role of Agent Smith may simply have been swept up in the serious nature of the saga, resulting in a far less recognizable portrayal of the infamous sci-fi villain. If so, thenthe twist of Smith entering the Real World and inhabiting a human body may not have happened at all, or it might not have been anywhere near as effective if it did still take place. In that particular circumstance, the combination of actors sharing the role of Agent Smith wouldn’t have needed to be quite so precise.
The Matrix Wasted Agent Smith In Human Form
Bliss' version of the character should have been explored much more thoroughly
Smith making the jump to the Real World was a brilliant concept that held a lot of promise. Not only was Bliss' Smith the only version isolated from the rapidly building horde of Smiths inside the Matrix, but he was also the only iteration who could die and then be gone forever. Unfortunately, his death is exactly what happened, andBliss' exit from the franchise came far too soon after his debut. For a series that generally explores all of its original concepts to the Nth degree, the limited use of a human Agent Smith seems like a massive oversight.
Bliss' Smith could still have returned to the digital world at any point - albeit on a much more temporary basis.
Despite being in a human body,Bane’s form still had the mechanical infrastructure to jack into the Matrix, so Bliss' Smith could still have returned to the digital world at any point - albeit on a much more temporary basis. If he spent enough time around humans in the Real World, it’s even possible the human Smith could have experienced a kind of soft redemption arc. Having said that, his hatred of humanity was perhaps a little too severe to allow for a complete turnaround.
10 Times The Matrix’s Villains Were Actually Right
Even Neo recognizes that Agent Smith’s thoughts are correct, but the Merovingian and other villains in The Matrix also have moments of wisdom.
Not killing Bliss' character inRevolutionscould also have been a brilliant way to solve the issueWeaving’s absence from 2021’sThe Matrix Resurrections. Although the script would have had to give Bane’s body the same treatment as Neo and Trinity to account for the 60-year time-jump,Bliss could have returned as Smith rather than giving the role to Jonathon Groff- who had never been previously associated with the character. Even if Weaving had returned, Bliss could have played Smith in the Real World, and Weaving could have been Smith’s Digital Self Image inThe Matrix’s 2021 sequel.
The Matrix Revolutions
Cast
The Matrix Revolutions is the third installment of the Wachowskis' famous sci-fi saga. The movie picks up where the previous film “The Matrix Reloaded” left off, with Neo (Keanu Reeves) trapped in between the simulation and the real world. Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Monica Bellucci, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Lambert Wilson reprise their roles once again for the threequel.
