As one of the most iconic on screen villains of all time, Agent Smith was a primary character in the original Matrix trilogy. Unfortunately, it appears that Hugo Weaving will not be returning four the revival of the series. The actor has not signed to come back to the return that's currently in the works that will star Keanu Reeves in his formative role as Neo. Weaving is set to start a stage production of the National Theatre's version of The Visit which will preclude him from once again giving his all to The Matrix. The stage production will run from January 31st-May 13th which also intersects with the filming of The Matrix 4. When speaking with London's Time Out, the prolific actor had this to say:
“The Matrix is a very different story. It’s unfortunate but actually, I had this offer [for The Visit] and then the offer came from The Matrix, so I knew it was happening but I didn’t have dates. I thought [I] could do both and it took eight weeks to work out that the dates would work – I held off on accepting [a role in The Visit during that time]. I was in touch with [director] Lana Wachowski, but in the end, she decided that the dates weren’t going to work. So we’d sorted the dates and then she sort of changed her mind. They’re pushing on ahead without me.”