1995 Classic, Turned Down by Denzel Washington, Ranked Among the ‘Best Thriller Movies of All Time’

Denzel Washington turned down a role that became one of the most memorable in thriller history. That film, Seven, premiered in 1995 under director David Fincher.

The movie follows two detectives investigating a serial killer who bases his murders on the seven deadly sins. Morgan Freeman starred as the retiring Detective William Somerset. Brad Pitt played his younger partner, Detective David Mills, opposite Kevin Spacey’s chilling John Doe.

The movie grossed over $327 million worldwide on a budget of roughly $33 million. It also earned an Oscar nomination for Best Film Editing.

Time Out recently ranked Seven among the 100 best thriller movies of all time. The film landed at No. 18, beating out high-profile titles like Heat (No. 38) and Memento (No. 60) on the same list. 

Denzel Washington Still Regrets Passing on This Role in Seven

Brad Pitt was not the studio’s first choice for the role of Detective Mills. Denzel Washington was offered the part before production began.

Washington turned it down. The role instead went to Pitt, who delivered one of his most memorable performances.

Years later, Washington addressed the decision in a 2013 Playboy interview. He called it one of the few regrets of his career.

“Seven was brought to me years ago,” Washington said. “I said no. Brad Pitt wound up playing the part. Go figure. I blew that one.”

The admission stood out given his own resume. Washington has won two Oscars, three Golden Globes (including the prestigious Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award in 2016), a Tony and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

He explained that chasing roles was never his approach. Offers, he said, tend to come to him on their own.

Washington’s comments added an unexpected footnote to Seven’s legacy. The film built its reputation without him, yet his absence remains part of its story.

Related: Denzel Washington’s ‘Hannibal’ Netflix Movie Gets Bad News

This story was originally published by Men’s Journal on Jul 19, 2026, where it first appeared in the Entertainment section. Add Men’s Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.