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No matter how many years have passed, every Hollywood star has that one role they cannot secure and can't stop thinking about. If you don't believe us, ask John Leguizamo, who almost played Nigel on "The Devil Wears Prada."
But this time, the star of this story about the one who got away is Salma Hayek, who lost the role of Trinity in "The Matrix." Yep, the sleek, black-clad martial arts master dodging bullets in slow motion could have been Hayek—if only she had hit the gym.
Salma Hayek's Missed Shot at The Matrix
During a 2021 episode of Red Table Talk, Hayek spilled the tea to Jada Pinkett Smith, revealing that both actresses were among the final contenders to play Trinity in the iconic 1999 sci-fi flick. "We were one of the four finalists for The Matrix," Hayek shared. "We'd jumped through many hurdles, screen testing and many auditions."
Sounds promising, right? Well, things took a turn when it came time for the physical audition.
The Physical Test That Ruined Her Chances
The Wachowskis weren't just looking for someone to look the part; they needed an actor capable of executing intense fight choreography. To prove their finalists could handle the action, they brought in stunt coordinators to run them through a brutal three-hour workout.
"It was the physical test," Hayek admitted with a laugh. "I'm flexible and agile, but I'm lazy. I never really went to the gym." When they told her to run, Hayek jokingly responded, "To where?" She added, "I couldn't even go around the room once." That flop of a workout sealed her fate; she never heard from the casting team again.
Jada Pinkett Smith's Moment to Shine
While Hayek struggled, Pinkett Smith absolutely crushed the audition. "Here comes Jada, a mean, lean, sexy machine," Hayek recalled. "Oh my God, she was so good. It was so embarrassing." Watching Pinkett Smith's strength and focus left Hayek feeling inspired. "I just looked at this woman, and I thought to myself, 'That's who I want to be when I grow up.'"
Though neither actress landed the role of Trinity (which famously went to Carrie-Anne Moss), Pinkett Smith's dedication paid off. The Wachowskis were so impressed that they later created the character Niobe specifically for her in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions.
Lesson Learned for Hayek
While Hayek still regrets her half-hearted effort, she walked away with a valuable lesson. Moving forward, she never slacked off in action auditions again. "I better start getting some stamina and practice the routines," she told herself. "You've got to be like Jada."
Even though Trinity wasn't meant to be, Hayek's career has hardly suffered. From "Desperado" to "Frida" to "Eternals," she's carved her unforgettable path in Hollywood with no bullet-dodging required.