Terrible Experience: The biggest regret of Denzel Washington’s career

The biggest regret of Denzel Washington’s career: “I guess Brad Pitt is happy”

Aimee Ferrier

Sun 8 September 2024 19:35, UK

Starting out in the 1970s, Denzel Washington has enjoyed an illustrious acting career across both stage and screen. After earning a BA in Drama and Journalism from Fordham University, the hopeful actor attended graduate school at the American Conservatory Theater in California. From there, he eventually returned to his birthplace, New York City, to pursue a professional acting career.

 

Throughout the late ’70s, Washington appeared in numerous theatre productions and two television films before making his Hollywood debut in 1981’s Carbon Copy. However, it was his role as Dr Phillip Chandler in the NBC medical drama St. Elsewhere that marked his breakthrough. By 1987, Washington earned his first Academy Award nomination for his portrayal of anti-apartheid activist Steven Biko in Cry Freedom, directed by Richard Attenborough. Though he lost to Sean Connery, Washington had little reason to be disheartened—just two years later, he won the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ Oscar for his performance in Glory, beating industry legends such as Marlon Brando.

 

By the 1990s, after a series of supremely impressive performances, Washington had firmly established himself as one of Hollywood’s finest actors. Taking on the critically acclaimed role of Malcolm X in Spike Lee’s film of the same name, Washington received his third Academy Award nomination (he has since been nominated for ten). He also starred in the Oscar-winning Philadelphia, directed by Jonathan Demme, as well as some successful thrillers such as Crimson Tide and The Pelican Brief.

 

However, one 1990s thriller stands out as far more successful than others—David Fincher’s Se7en. Released in 1995, the film starred Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in leading roles. Interestingly, Denzel Washington was originally approached to play Pitt’s role as Detective David Mills. The film follows Mills and seasoned detective William Somerset as they track down a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as the foundation for his gruesome crimes.

 

Fincher’s Se7en was a tremendous success, grossing over $327million worldwide and becoming the seventh highest-grossing film of 1995. Since then, Fincher has gone on to direct highly-regarded films such as Fight Club, The Social Network, and Gone Girl. However, at the time of Se7en‘s production, Fincher’s only directing credit was Alien 3, a project he has since disowned, famously stating, “No one hated it more than me; to this day, no one hates it more than me.” Hired as a replacement for Vincent Ward, Fincher faced constant studio interference, resulting in a film that was widely regarded as significantly weaker than its predecessors.

 

Thus, when Washington was offered the leading role in Se7en, he was unaware that Fincher would become one of contemporary cinema’s most successful directors. Referring to his dismissal of the film as a “mistake”, Washington said: “I just didn’t think anybody was going to see it. I don’t know what I made instead, I can’t remember, but I turned [Se7en] down. I guess Brad Pitt is happy about that.”

 

In 1995, Washington was a star in three films: Crimson Tide, Virtuosity, and Devil in a Blue Dress, but none of these achieved the sheer success that Se7en did. Upon seeing Fincher’s film, Washington had an “oh god” moment, regretting his decision not to be involved. However, Washington hasn’t let it get to him too much, as he explained: “Evidently, it wasn’t for me; it was for Brad at the time. It was just too much when I read it; it was just different when I saw it.”

 

Despite his regrets, Washington has enjoyed a highly successful career. In 2016, he directed, produced, and starred in Fences, which was highly praised and earned Viola Davis a ‘Best Supporting Actress’ Oscar. More recently, Washington took on the lead role in Joel Coen’s historical thriller The Tragedy of Macbeth, playing the titular character. He also returned to directing with A Journal for Jordan, further showcasing his versatility and talent both in front of and behind the camera.