Washington’s impressive repertoire of movies, Washington has stated that he still regrets his decision to turn down a role in the 1995 David Fincher crime thriller, Se7en.
Starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, Se7en was released to critical and commercial success, grossing $327.3 million at the box office worldwide. The movie follows the world-weary and nearly-retired detective Lieutenant William Somerset (Freeman), and his newly transferred partner, David Mills (Pitt), as they hunt down a serial killer whose crimes mirror the seven deadly sins. Se7en was a sleeper hit when it was released, and its shocking twist ending has been regarded as one of the best in cinematic history. Therefore, it’s interesting that Se7en could have been a Denzel Washington movie if he hadn’t declined it.
Se7en Would've Been One Of Denzel Washington's Best 1990s Movies If He Hadn't Turned It Down
Washington’s Take On Mills Would Have Been Very Different
In 2018, in an OFF SCRIPT interview with Jamie Foxx for Grey Goose Vodka, Denzel Washington was asked by Foxx, “have you ever said no to something that you wish you had said yes to?” After thinking for a moment, Washington stated that he regrets turning down Se7en. Elaborating that “They wanted me to play the Brad Pitt part,” this potential casting would have meant that Denzel Washington could have appeared alongside Morgan Freeman in the 1995 film, as Brad Pitt’s part in Se7en was to play the role of newly-transferred David Mills, partner to the disenchanted Detective Somerset.
I thought the script was too demonic, then I saw the movie, and I was like 'oh, I blew it.' But, you know, it worked out alright.
Denzel Washington notes that he regrets turning down Se7en after seeing the movie, despite previously thinking that “the script was too demonic,” remarking to Foxx that “I blew it.” As the movie follows a serial killer who is obsessed with the seven deadly sins, it makes sense that Washington may have found the initial concept quite dark. In fact, test audiences originally hated the movie, criticizing Se7en’s ending for being way too morbid. However, the movie was a sleeper hit and its iconic yet grim ending actually cemented its status as one of the best thrillers of all time.
Denzel Washington’s 1995 Movies |
Box Office |
|---|---|
Crimson Tide |
$157.4 million |
Virtuosity |
$37 million |
Devil In A Blue Dress |
$22 million |
Although he turned the role down, Se7en could have easily become one of the best Denzel Washington movies of the 1990s. The actor would have been brilliant in Brad Pitt’s role in Se7en, and it is very likely that his casting would have changed the film. Washington’s take on Detective Mills would have looked very different to Pitt’s, and the character may have been more headstrong and angry. This would have played into the ending even more, as Mills became the final victim, Wrath. That being said, Denzel Washington starred in plenty of other movie roles throughout 1995 instead.
Se7en Would Have Faced Stiff Competition From Washington's Malcolm X
Malcolm X Was A Standout Role For Washington, Despite Its Box Office
Although it is disappointing that we will never get to see what Denzel Washington would have been like in Se7en, the movie would have faced stiff competition from Washington’s Malcom X. This 1992 Denzel Washington movie follows the real life of Malcolm X, based largely on the events described in Alex Haley’s 1965 book, The Autobiography of Malcolm X. With a budget of $35 million, Malcolm X earned just $73 million at the box office, which is surprising considering the movie was so highly praised that it was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry in 2010.
This Classic 1990s Movie Should Have Earned Denzel Washington His Second Oscar (Before Training Day)
Although Denzel Washington is a two-time Academy Award winner, he should have earned his second Oscar for his performance in one classic '90s movie.
Malcolm X earned Denzel Washington two Best Actor nominations - for the 65th Academy Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle Award - for which he won the latter. Therefore, despite the intrigue surrounding how great Washington’s role in Se7en would have been, it would have faced a real competition against what has become one of the actor’s most notable and poignant roles, at least in of acting performance (as Se7en had a much higher box office than Malcolm X). However, you cannot help but wonder if Denzel Washington’s role in Se7en would have made the movie even more legendary.
Sources: OFF SCRIPT
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Se7en
8/10- Release Date
- September 22, 1995
- Runtime
- 127 minutes
- Director
- David Fincher
WHERE TO WATCH
RENTBUYDavid Fincher's crime thriller Se7en follows the seasoned Detective William Somerset after he is assigned a new partner, the young and idealistic David Mills (Brad Pitt). The two find themselves investigating a deranged killer staging murders inspired by each of the seven deadly sins. On the hunt for the twisted John Doe (Kevin Spacey) before he can kill again, the two detectives soon discover that they're much deeper into the case than they realized.
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