Madonna Regrets Turning Down Offer to Star in 'The Matrix'

Photo: NBC/YouTube

Madonna is widely known as an iconic singer and a symbol of freedom and success in the entertainment industry. Throughout her career, she has been involved in numerous projects that have consistently garnered attention and sparked conversations. 

Yet, amid her illustrious career, there is one regret the diva holds close — turning down a role in The Matrix. During an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, the 63-year-old artist admitted for the first time that she had declined the offer to star alongside Keanu Reeves, a decision she now deeply regrets.

Madonna confessed that rejecting the role in The Matrix was one of the biggest career missteps she has made. "Can you believe it? It’s one of the greatest movies of all time, and a small part of me still regrets turning it down," she revealed. The sci-fi classic, which became a massive cultural phenomenon, is now widely considered a defining film in the genre. Had Madonna taken the role, it could have further solidified her presence in Hollywood beyond her already successful music career.

Surprisingly, The Matrix wasn’t the only high-profile role Madonna turned down during her career. She was also offered the role of Catwoman in Batman Returns and the lead role in Showgirls. While she expressed a certain level of regret for turning down the Catwoman role, describing it as "challenging," Madonna feels no remorse over rejecting the lead in Showgirls

"I’ve seen both films, and I do regret turning down Catwoman a little, but I’m not at all sorry about Showgirls," she admitted.

Both roles went on to define the careers of other actresses. Michelle Pfeiffer’s portrayal of Catwoman is still hailed as one of the best iterations of the character, while Showgirls remains a controversial film in Hollywood history. Madonna’s ability to reflect on these career choices provides insight into how selective she has been when considering her ventures beyond music.

Madonna's ventures aren't just limited to music or film roles she’s turned down. She has also made waves with her Madame X documentary, which was released on Paramount+ in October 2021, receiving critical acclaim. However, the film’s release was almost delayed as Madonna had initially considered streaming it on the adult platform OnlyFans instead of Netflix.

According to the pop icon, certain scenes in the documentary contained adult content she didn’t want to censor for a mainstream platform. "If no one’s willing to buy this show, we might as well release it on a porn site. It would be fun. 

Do they even have a format to release the entire film there?" she mused during her interview. This playful yet bold approach to her work demonstrates Madonna’s unwavering commitment to pushing boundaries, even when it comes to her creative projects.

Despite her regrets and missed opportunities, Madonna remains a powerful figure in the world of entertainment. Her influence spans decades, from her chart-topping hits to her unforgettable music videos, world tours, and her ability to constantly reinvent herself. While she may look back and question some career choices, Madonna’s willingness to reflect on those decisions without allowing them to overshadow her accomplishments is a testament to her resilience and enduring legacy.

Her candid admission of regret over The Matrix only adds to the complexity of her persona, showing that even icons of her stature have moments of uncertainty. Yet, as history has shown, Madonna continues to thrive, whether in music, fashion, or film.

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