 According to Don Davis (I) (qv), Johnny Depp (qv) was Larry and  Andys first choice for Neo, but Warner Bros. wanted  Brad Pitt (qv) or Val Kilmer (qv). After Kilmer and Brad Pitt  said no, Warner Bros. was willing to consider Johnny Depp, and then  it came between Johnny Depp and Keanu Reeves (qv), who Warner  Bros. was pushing. Keanu was always really tuned in to the concept  and made a big difference in the casting.