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Denzel Washington is widely regarded as one of Hollywood’s greatest actors, having graced the screen with his talent in numerous remarkable films over the years. He’s best known for his powerful roles in movies like the war drama Glory and the gripping thriller Training Day, for which he won an Oscar. However, there’s an interesting twist to his career—Washington almost took on a role in the classic 90s film Seven, directed by David Fincher.
In a candid chat with Playboy Magazine, Washington shared that he was offered the chance to play the part of David Mills, a homicide detective who teams up with Morgan Freeman’s character, William Somerset, in the chilling thriller. Despite the allure of the project, Washington decided to pass on the role, which ultimately went to Brad Pitt—a decision he looks back on with a hint of regret. “Seven was brought to me years ago. I said no. Brad Pitt wound up playing the part. Go figure,” he admitted during the interview in 2013, shortly after winning the Academy Award for Best Actor in Training Day. “I blew that one.”
Released in 1995, Seven was both a critical darling and a box office hit. The film, which follows two detectives on the trail of a serial killer whose murders are inspired by the seven deadly sins, grossed over $327 million worldwide and played a significant role in establishing Pitt as a serious dramatic actor.
While it would have been incredible to see Washington and Freeman reunite on screen for Seven, turning down that role didn’t hinder Washington’s career in the slightest. He reflected on his journey, noting that he has missed out on certain roles but has been receiving more film offers, especially since his Oscar win. “In general, I’ve never been one to go after stuff. I’m not out schmoozing,” he explained. “There are enough roles out there for me, and they seem to come along regularly enough. Since my recent Oscar win, I’m getting more offers, though there’s a lot of garbage out there, too. It’s always hard to find good material.”
So, while it would have been fantastic to see Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman join forces again, Seven just wasn’t in the cards for them.