Denzel Washington has had many prolific roles throughout his long and illustrious film career. However, the actor has also had many roles that he lost out of his own free will or because casting producers turned him down. Of course, that hasn’t held him back at all, as seen in his extensive filmography and numerous award wins. Few actors are on the same level as Washington, which essentially allows him to pick and choose the projects he wants to be a part of. After starring in The equalizer 3 In 2023, Washington will star as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated film. Gladiator II.
Washington won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Glory and an Oscar for Best Actor for his role in Training dayHe was also nominated for the prestigious honor for his work in Shout freedom, Malcolm X, The hurricane, Flight, Fences, Romano J. Israel, Esq.and The tragedy of MacbethSome of Washington’s best films include The Pelican Report, Philadelphia, Much ado about nothing, Crimson Tide, Courage under fire, Remember the titans, Man on fire, The man inside, American Gangsterand The equalizer Trilogy. Despite the actor’s impressive career, he has lost out on a handful of roles in iconic films.
12 Furious 7 (2015)
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Washington had the opportunity to appear in Furious 7the most profitable installment of the massive Fast & Furious franchise and one of the highest-grossing films of all time. Washington turned down the role of Mr. Nobody, which went to another legendary actor, Kurt Russell. Mr. Nobody appeared in The fate of the furious and F9making him a recurring part of the monolithic action franchise and a critical member of Furious 7Washington has starred in numerous franchise action films, but he chose to pass up the opportunity to be a part of one of the most profitable of all time.
11 Leave the world behind (2023)
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Washington was initially set to play GH Scott in the Netflix apocalyptic thriller. Leave the world behind directed by Mr. Robot Creator Sam Esmail. The role eventually went to Oscar winner Mahershala Ali after Washington stepped away from the project. Had Washington remained on the ambitious Netflix project, it would have marked a 30-year on-screen reunion with Julia Roberts, who last appeared in a film with Washington in 1993. The Pelican Report.
10 A Perfect World (1993)
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The 1993 crime drama film A perfect world Kevin Costner played Robert “Butch” Haynes, a convict who escaped from prison and took a child hostage while on the run from the police. The film, directed by Clint Eastwood, was not a box office success, but many critics praised Costner’s performance. However, Costner was not Eastwood’s first choice to play Butch. The director initially wanted Denzel Washington to play the role, but the actor turned it down.
9 Michael Clayton (2007)
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George Clooney starred as the title character in Michael Claytonwhich told the story of Michael Clayton, a lawyer and well-known “troubleshooter” who uncovers corruption involving one of his law firm’s clients in New York City. The film was a huge success and garnered a lot of attention during the 2007 awards season. Michael Clayton It was nominated for seven Oscars and Tilda Swinton won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Karen Crowder. Clooney was also nominated and did not win, but the role of Michael Clayton was almost played by Denzel Washington.
Washington received the script for Michael Clayton and was impressed, but ultimately turned down the role because it was Tony Gilroy’s directorial debut. He was nervous about taking that leap. But Washington later admitted that he made a mistake in turning it down. Michael Clayton Because of the success it had.
8 Friendship (1997)
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Steven Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama Friendship told the true story of what happened in Friendshipa Spanish slave ship, in 1839. The slaves took control of the ship and a battle broke out. Djimon Hounsou played Joseph Cinqué, one of the slaves on board the ship, and his performance put him in the spotlight in Hollywood. However, the role almost went to Denzel Washington, who turned it down because he didn’t want to play a slave.
7 Hotel Rwanda (2004)
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It should come as no surprise that Denzel Washington is a highly sought-after actor in Hollywood and has been offered many prestigious roles over the years. But in the case of Hotel RwandaDirector Terry George always wanted Don Cheadle to play Paul Rusesabagina in the 2004 film based on the Rwandan genocide. Studios balked at hiring Cheadle and executives wanted someone like Washington for the role. However, George eventually got his way and Cheadle received an Oscar nomination for his work in Hotel Rwanda.
6 48 Hours (1982)
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Before Eddie Murphy was cast as Reggie Hammond in the 1982 buddy cop film 48 Hours.The casting producers considered Denzel Washington for the role. They ultimately settled on Murphy, so it seems they decided not to hire Washington rather than have Washington turn down the role. The film revolved around a cop (played by Nick Nolte) and a convict (played by Murphy) who surprisingly joined forces to catch two criminals, and they only had 48 hours to do it.
5 Dream Girls (2006)
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Bill Condon adapted the 1981 Broadway musical Dream Girls In 2006, the film was made into a movie that told the story of a Detroit girl group called “The Dreams” and their rise to stardom. Jamie Foxx played Curtis Taylor Jr., a record executive who discovered the girl group and took advantage of them. Although Foxx was cast in the role, the producers of the musical drama film almost went with Denzel Washington. However, the actor turned down the role because he can’t sing and Foxx can.
4 I, Robot (2004)
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Will Smith played the lead character, Detective Del Spooner, in the 2004 science fiction action film. I, RobotHowever, before Smith accepted the role, the producers reached out to Denzel Washington to see if he would be interested in starring in the film, which is set in a future where robots are slowly but surely taking over the world. The actor turned down the offer and the rest is history.
3 Blades (1998)
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Wesley Snipes fully embodied the role of Eric Brooks/Blade in the 1998 superhero film. BladeBefore principal photography began, the head of the studio producing the film suggested that Denzel Washington be offered the role. However, director David S. Goyer had a hunch that he should cast Snipes, and in the end, he got his way.
2 Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1984)
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The sequel to the hit 1984 sci-fi action film. The terminator, Terminator 2: Judgement Dayfeatures the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the title character. The film also introduced a new supporting character, Dr. Miles Bennett Dyson, played by Joe Morton. However, the producers first offered the role to Denzel Washington, who turned it down because it wasn’t the role he was looking for.
17 (1995)
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Denzel Washington almost accepted the role that would eventually go to Brad Pitt in SevenThe 1995 crime thriller revolved around David Mills (Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), two detectives pursuing a serial killer who modeled his murders on the seven deadly sins. Seven It’s arguably one of Pitt’s best films, but it would have been very different if Washington had never turned down the role of David Mills because the film was too dark.