Denzel Washington turned down huge role in Se7en that could have changed entire movie

You might think that Se7en is a superb film which has little room for improvement - but what if Denzel Washington was cast in it?

The veteran actor, 69, revealed that he almost starred in the 1995 thriller, but ultimately turned down the opportunity of taking on a leading role.

It's a decision which he kicked himself for when he finally watched David Fincher's enthralling flick - and one which could have changed the whole trajectory of the film.

Check out the trailer for it here:

The critically-acclaimed movie could have looked a lot different if Washington didn't decline the role of the new cop on the block, David Mills.

In Se7en, the recently-transferred detective is partnered up with investigator William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), who is set to retire, to solve a series of gruesome murders.

The pair butt heads quite a bit while trying to track down the cold-blooded killer, who is carrying out slayings which are based on the seven deadly sins.

As we all know, Brad Pitt ended up taking on the role of Mills - so Washington probably did him a favour turning it down, as it's one of the most memorable parts he has ever played.

I mean, it's not like any of us have forgotten his delivery of the iconic line: "What's in the box?!"

Morgan Freeman and Brad Pitt starred alongside each other in the 1995 thriller (New Line Cinema)

But in another world, it could have been Washington uttering the sentence before realising it's the severed head of his pregnant wife inside the package.

A lot of people reckon that The Equaliser star would have been perfect for the gig - and not just because he's got a knack for having catchy quotes in films.

But considering his work in other dark thrillers such as The Bone Collector and The Little Things, it seemed like Se7en and Washington would be a match made in heaven.

However, the actor explained that he passed up on the opportunity because he thought the plot was 'too demonic', while chatting to Jamie Foxx in 2018.

In the interview for Grey Goose Vodka, Washington was quizzed about his lengthy career in showbiz, as well as how he ventured into directing and producing as well as acting.

Take a look at it here:

After Washington explained that he was inspired to expand his wheelhouse because he 'likes new challenges', Foxx asked whether he 'ever says no'.

The Training Day actor then responded: "I turned down Se7en. They wanted me to play the Brad Pitt part.

"I thought the script was too demonic.

"Then I saw the movie, and I was like 'Oh, I blew it!' But, you know, it worked out alright."

To be fair to Washington, he did have a lot going on that year too - as he was also starring in Crimson Tide, Virtuosity and Devil in a Blue Dress.

Denzel Washington revealed the reason why he turned down a role in Se7en (Ivan Romano/Getty Images)

Pitt ended up being offered the role of Mills instead and took the character in a drastically different direction than what Washington would probably have.

The pair have very different approaches to acting, so their portrayals of the idealistic detective would be like chalk and cheese.

The dynamic between Washington and Freeman's character would have also been a lot different to the way things played out between The Shawshank Redemption star and Pitt.

Needless to say, Washington would have no doubt put his own stamp on Se7en - but I guess we will just have to use our imaginations to work out what that would have looked like.