Denzel Washington Has had many problematic roles throughout his long and illustrious film career. Still, the actor has also had many parts that he either missed out of his own will or because the casting producers let him down. Of course, this hasn’t slowed him down at all, as seen in his expansive filmography and numerous award wins. Few actors are on the same level as WashingtonWhich essentially allows him to handpick and create the projects he wants to be a part of. Still staring at The Equalizer 3 In 2023, Washington will star as Macrinus in Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated Gladiator II.
Washington won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in respect And an Oscar for Best Actor for his part in Training day. He was also nominated for the prestigious honor for his work in Cry freedom, Malcolm X, The hurricane, Fly, fences, Roman Y. Israel, esq.And The Tragedy of Macbeth. Some of Washington’s best movies include The Pelican Letter, Philadelphia, Much ado about nothing, Crimson Tide, Courage under fire, Remember the Titans, Man on fire, Inner man, American gangsterAnd The equalizer Trilogy. Despite the impressive career of the actor, he lost a handful of roles in iconic films.
12
Furious 7 (2015)
Washington had the opportunity to prove himself Furious 7The highest-grossing installment of the massive Fast & Furious franchise and one of the highest-grossing movies of all time. Washington turned down the role of playing Mr. Nobody, which went to another legendary actor, Kurt Russell. Mr. Keiner did not appear further The fate of the furious And F9Making him a recurring part of the monolithic action franchise and a crucial member of Furious 7. Washington has starred in many franchise action films but opted out of the opportunity to be part of one of the most profitable of all time.
11
Leave the World Behind (2023)
Washington was initially slated to portray GH Scott in Netflix’s 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. If Washington had stayed on for the ambitious Netflix project, it would have marked a 30-year screen reunion with Julia Roberts, who last appeared in a movie with Washington in 1993. The Pelican Letter.
10
A Perfect World (1993)
The 1993 crime drama film A perfect world Starring Kevin Costner as Robert “Butch” Haynes, a convict who escaped from prison and took a young boy hostage while on the run from law enforcement. The film, which was directed by Clint Eastwood, did not receive much success at the box office, but many critics praised Costner’s performance. However, Costner was not Eastwood’s first choice to play Butch. At first, the director wanted Denzel Washington to play the role, but the actor turned down the role.
9
Michael Clayton (2007)
George Clooney starred as the titular character in Michael ClaytonWhich told the story of Michael Clayton, a lawyer and a well-known “fixer”, who discovers corruption with one of the clients of his law firm in New York City. The movie was a massive hit and garnered a lot of attention during awards season in 2007. Michael Clayton Was nominated for seven Academy Awards, and Tilda Swinton won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Karen Crowder. Clooney was also nominated and didn’t win, but the role of Michael Clayton was almost played by Denzel Washington.
Washington received the script for Michael Clayton And was impressed, but he ultimately turned down the part because it was Tony Gilroy’s directorial debut. He was nervous about the jump. But Washington later admitted that he had made a mistake in handing over Michael Clayton Because of how successful it was.
8
Amistad (1997)
Steven Spielberg’s 1997 historical drama Amistad Tell the true story of what happened on La AmistadA Spanish slave ship, in 1839. The slaves took control of the ship, and a battle ensued. Djimon Hounsou played Joseph Cinqué, one of the slaves aboard the ship, and His performance thrust him into 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)
It should come as no surprise that Denzel Washington is a hot commodity 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 movie based on the Rwandan genocide. The studios pushed back against casting Cheadle, and the executives wanted someone like Washington for the role. George finally got his way, however, and Cheadle would go on to receive an Oscar nomination for his work in Hotel Rwanda.
6
48 hours. (1982)
Before Eddie Murphy was cast to play Reggie Hammond in the 1982 Buddy Cop film 48 hours.The casting producers considered Denzel Washington for the part. They eventually settled on Murphy, so it sounds like they decided not to go with Washington instead of Washington turning down the role. The movie revolved around a cop (played by Nick Nolte) and a convict (played by Murphy) who surprisingly join forces to capture two Criminals, and they only have 48 hours to do it.
5
Dreamgirls (2006)
Bill Condon adapted the 1981 Broadway musical Dreamgirls In a feature film in 2006, the movie tells the story of a girl group from Detroit called “The Dreams” and their journey to stardom. Jamie Foxx played Curtis Taylor Jr., a record executive who discovered the girl group and took advantage of them. Although Foxx was chosen for the part, the producers of the musical drama film almost went with Denzel Washington. But the actor turned down the role, Because he can’t sing, and Fox can.
4
I, Robot (2004)
Will Smith played the lead character, Detective Dale Spooner, in the 2004 science fiction action film I, robot. However, before Smith accepted the part, producers first approached 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 dropped it, and the rest is history.
3
blade (1998)
Wesley Snipes perfectly embodied the role of Eric Brooks / Blade in the 1998 superhero movie Blade. Before principal photography took place, the head of the studio producing the film suggested that Denzel Washington be offered the part instead. The director David S. Guyer, however, told him to go with Snipes, and he met at the end of the day.
2
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1984)
The sequel to the successful 1984 science fiction action film The Terminator, The Terminator 2: Judgment DayFeatures the return of Arnold Schwarzenegger as the titular character. The movie also introduced a new minor 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 part he was looking for. .
1
Se7en (1995)
Denzel Washington Almost took the role that would ultimately go to Brad Pitt Se7en. The 1995 crime thriller revolved around Pitt’s David Mills and Morgan Freeman’s William Somerset, two detectives tracking down a serial killer modeling his murders after the Seven Deadly Sins. Se7en is arguably one of Pitt’s best moviesBut it would have looked a lot different if Washington had never turned down the role of David Mills because the film was too dark.