When Keanu Reeves said, "I know kung fu," in The Matrix, we knew it was something of a stretch for the new-to-the-martial-arts actor — not that we didn't enjoy his virtual face-offs with Laurence Fishburne.

Now, how about adding someone who really knows kung fu to the sci-fi action trilogy?

Will Jet Li do? Matrix filmmakers Andy and Larry Wachowski are courting the Hong Kong action star to join their ultracool sci-fi series. As Neo would say, "Whoa!" We say, "Great idea!"

The success of Romeo Must Die — it nearly tied for first place with Erin Brockovich its first week out — proves that there is indeed a Western audience for Li, who was previously known for his too-brief turn as a villain in Lethal Weapon 4.

It's not really a new idea: In the April issue of Premiere, the Wachowskis (who say, "Jet Li is God!") reveal that they had a martial-arts showcase scripted for Li in the first Matrix, "but eventually we couldn't afford Jet or the scene." The fight choreography, and martial-arts training for the leads, came courtesy of Yuen Woo-Ping, who honed his skills in many an HK flick.

Li says he's eager to work with the brother writing-directing duo. "They are very talented. If they invited me to do The Matrix sequel, I'd take it," he tells Premiere.

This week, unnamed sources confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that the Wachowskis are "keen on making a deal" with Li, but that formal negotiations have yet to begin.

Joel Silver, who produced both Romeo and The Matrix, is said to have given the casting idea his full support.

What's not clear yet is whether they can afford Li this time either. Original stars Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving, as well as the filmmakers and producers, have all seen significant pay hikes for the second and third Matrix installments.

In an upset over the Star Wars franchise, The Matrix swept the technical awards categories at this year's Oscars, netting all four of the Academy Awards for which it was nominated.

Romeo Must Die has grossed $38.8 million after two weeks. The Matrix racked up $171.3 million domestically. Work on the back-to-back sequels will begin in 2001.

Jet Li is close to signing on for a role in THE MATRIX 2 and THE MATRIX 3 for filmmakers Andy and Larry Wachowski. The pair are hot to make a deal with the martial arts star and Joel Silver who produced both ROMEO MUST DIE and the four Oscar winner THE MATRIX has given his blessing to the deal according to The Hollywood Reporter. THE MATRIX has grossed $171.3 million domestically.The biggest hurdle seems to be how to fit Li into the budget. With mega-buck deals in place for Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Ann Moss, Laurence Fishburne and Hugo Weaving plus the filmmakers and producers, there may not be much left for Li. ROMEO MUST DIE has grossed $38.8 million in two weeks of release

Jet Li Keeps 'Romeo Must Die' Premiere Alive and Kicking

Singer Aaliyah makes her film debut in "Romeo Must Die."

LOS ANGELES, March 20, 2000 -- East met Westwood's Mann Village Theater on Monday night as Hong Kong's legendary Jet Li premiered his first American feature, "Romeo Must Die." The 36-year-old martial-arts superstar grinned and waved to enthusiastic fans, joked with reporters and didn't mind that the majority of American audiences might only know him for his villainous role in 1998's "Lethal Weapon 4."

"Since 'Lethal Weapon 4,' I walk out on the street and people say 'Hey Jet ... you were so mean in the movie,'" Li said. "And I said, 'Oh look, just watch 'Romeo Must Die.' Next time you see me, you'll say, 'Jet, you're a good guy, you're a nice guy.'" Indeed, Li's starring role was the result of a package deal with "Lethal Weapon" producer Joel Silver. "I said, 'You play the bad guy in this movie, and I'll come back and give you a good guy," Silver said. "I didn't want to make him mad." This time around, Li plays Han, a former cop who breaks out of prison in Hong Kong after he learns his brother has been killed in the States. His murder might or might not be a result of warring crime families -- an Asian one headed by Henry O and a black family led by Delroy Lindo. Lindo's daughter, Trish, is played by soul/R&B singer Aaliyah, and she and Li find friendship in the common ground of their families' tragedy. "We touch on aspects of Romeo and Juliet," Aaliyah explained. "There are similarities, but it's not totally the Romeo and Juliet story." The 20-year-old singer, making her feature film debut, brought her brother to the premiere and felt "like a princess" at seeing her name splayed across the marquee.

"It's something I've wanted to do for a long time," she said. "I've always been into full-on entertainment -- singing and acting and dancing. But I wanted to wait for the right time, the right project, the right role. I loved Trish. She's tough, she doesn't take anything from anybody, that's what I liked about her." But the biggest draw for moviegoers, which included Keanu Reeves, Michael Clarke Duncan, Magic Johnson, rapper Timbaland (who scored the film), Faye Dunaway, ex-"Baywatch" beauty Traci Bingham, Linda Lee Cadwell and Shannon Lee (Bruce Lee's widow and daughter, respectively) are the action scenes, the hardest of which is Li's jailbust while chained to the ceiling of a cell.

"The most difficult part was hanging upside-down 12 hours a day," Li said, contorting his small frame to demonstrate. "You get a headache, then you need to work again tomorrow." But his co-stars, which included rapper DMX, Isaiah Washington and Russell Wong, dismissed Li's nonchalance. "He's the Baryshnikov of martial arts," said Wong, a martial-arts film veteran who fights Li in a spectacular action sequence involving a courtyard, bushes and fiery coals. "He's been doing it for 29 years, and he's really great at what he does." Washington says he was also due for a Jet Li face-off, but the film's budget wouldn't allow it. "Special effects are expensive, I'm serious. They had this really incredible special effects to see my whole jaw ripped off my head," Washington said. "And I'm kinda glad they ran out of money. . The way [Jet Li] handles everyone else in this movie, I don't want to show my son that. I want my son to be proud: 'Look, Daddy, you didn't get your butt kicked.'" "Romeo Must Die" opens March 22.