Denzel Washington has built a career most actors can only dream of. Powerful performances, smart role choices, and decades of success have made him one of Hollywood’s most respected stars.
Still, even with all that success, there is one decision he openly wishes he could take back. It involves a very popular movie that went on to become legendary, and he admits he should never have turned down the role.
Denzel Washington Didn’t Trust The Script Of One Of The Best Thrillers Ever Made
Denzel Washington has said that passing on David Fincher’s ‘Se7en‘ remains one of his biggest professional regrets. He was offered the role of Detective David Mills but chose to walk away after reading the script. At the time, he felt the story was too dark and unsettling, and he believed the material crossed a line he wasn’t comfortable with.
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At that moment, walking away felt like the right decision. Washington trusted his instincts and moved on, believing the project simply didn’t fit where he was creatively. But that confidence didn’t last once the film finally reached the big screen.
Denzel Washington Still Regrets Turning Down ‘Se7en’
After Washington stepped aside, the role of Mills went to Brad Pitt, whose performance became one of the most memorable of his early career.
During an interview with Jamie Foxx for Grey Goose Vodka, Washington admitted that once he finally watched the movie, his reaction completely changed. He said that seeing how everything came together made him realize he had made a mistake, and he openly admitted that he had blown it, even though his career turned out just fine.
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That regret is very much valid. Because ‘Se7en‘ became a massive success, earning over $327 million worldwide and nearly multiplying its budget ten times over. The film also became one of the most talked-about thrillers of all time, and he missed being part of a film that defined an entire genre.
Brad Pitt’s casting worked perfectly, and by his own admission, it reinvigorated his love for acting. But Washington would have brought a very different energy to Mills. Still, Washington’s regret isn’t about money or fame. He released three films the same year ‘Se7en’ hit theaters and never lost momentum, but he regrets missing the opportunity to create cinematic history.
