new

[Ceege]

not a matrix start, but surely some effect in choosing him later.

Choosing Keanu? They were running out of choices I reckon, these are the people that turned it down.

Kevin Costner
Tom Cruise
Johnny Depp (According to an interview with Matrix composer Don Davis, Johnny Depp was the Wachowskis' first choice for Neo.)
Leonardo DiCaprio (Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the part, supposedly because he was concerned about the amount of special effects.)
David Duchovny
Val Kilmer (not only turned down the part of Neo, but also Morpheus.)
Brad Pitt
Lou Diamond Phillips
Will Smith

But they got the right person in the end.

How awesome is Ice T in Mnemonic!