I know that initially they wanted Denzel to be Mills and that Pitt was maybe better in terms of playing hot-shot cocky young guy but just imagining Denzel + Freeman in a movie like Se7en? Nah.. That would be too much badass. The universe would explode
Update:
Imagine a bald Denzel playing John Doe. :D Movies like Man on Fire totally proved that he can be a John Doe
Hallelujah that never came to pass.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opcKTe7ePgk
As you said, Pitt was better at playing the hotshot. Considering Collateral and recently Django Unchained, I think Jamie Fox would have been suitable.
However, having Denzel or Jamie next to Freeman would mean 2 black male leads in the same movie ... I would not mind but you know how studios think, it was hard enough to convince the producers to go with the bleak ending, they'd rather drop the project than also having two male black leads in the cast.
Bad Boys is the only movie I can think of right now that has 2 male leads and that's Will Smith we are talking here, the one black actor that can do whatever he wants.
You're right on the part about having 2 black lead roles. I like the movie the way it is but still would want to see Denzel instead of Brad because I'm huge fan of Washington. Freeman also.
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"Considering Collateral and recently Django Unchained, I think Jamie Fox would have been suitable"
Maybe current Jaimie Foxx but early 90's Jamie Foxx didn't have the acting chops for this sort of movie, I don't think. He was still leading failed sitcoms at the time.
Hollywood would not give two black guys the leads in a movie of this nature, it's mix it up or all whites... For the record I think Pitt was v good here - not a fan of D Washington generally.
shareYes, I also support the way it is - With Brad Pitt. I just needed to mention because I'm a big fan of Washington and that there would be a big chemistry between him and Freeman in a movie like Se7en
shareDenzel and Freeman would not work, particularly in this film because, for one: Freeman was the smart detective while Pitt played the incompetent jack ass. Denzel Washington will not play a role like that at all. Besides Morgan Freeman is not playing second fiddle to Denzel Washington's character. Maybe it will work in an action movie.
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I think the casting in this movie was spot on. From Pitt, to Freeman to Spacey. But I do think that Denzel would've played a very interesting take on John Doe.
sharetyler perry.
shareomg, Pitt was ok here definitely not very good. And there's no way you can put pitt in the same league of a denzel. Period.
shareWhat about "Bad Boys" with Martin Lawrence and Will Smith???
Though I can see some benefits, I do not see anybody else playing against Freeman than Pitt. Some people have stated Pacino and Smith or Jamie Fox. That would have TOTALLY RUINED THE FILM. Pacino overacts in everything he does. Who of those would play they intellectual?? the retiring detective? If you put these two(or any combination) into this movie you would just have another cop movie--NOT ONE THAT WILL LAST FOREVER(as Spacey says at the end).
Have you seen:
TGF films
Donnie Brasco
Angels In America
Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel
The Godfather
Serpico
The Godfather: Part II
Dog Day Afternoon
...And Justice for All.
Scent of a Woman
Carlito's Way
Donnie Brasco
The Insider
I don't think Al Pacino over acted in any of these. Scarface is the only film that qualifies as over acting in my book. But you entitled to your wrong opinion.
Denzel is hotshot in about everything he does...has no know seen Mo Better Blues? Him walking out to the girls, like he has ANY chance of explaining the dress?
The guy walking out to the courtroom, in Flight.
The guy who meets his future Wife in The Hurricane?
All of Devil In A Blue Dress?
I think Denzel is a better actor than Pitt, personally.
I would have liked to have seen that.
~ There is nothing more pathetic than an aging hipster.
denzel would never have done a movie like this because he is a devout christian.
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Can you imagine Pacino as Sommerset and Denzel as the hot shot? Now we're talking chemistry.
shareI hope that you're kidding there. Pacino overacts in almost everything. Freeman is the complete opposite, almost understated in his acting, and was perfect for this role.
Denzel, eh, I like the guy, but who knows. Pitt did a decent job, why worry about who may have done better?
Have you seen:
TGF films
Donnie Brasco
Angels In America
Global Warming, it's a personal decision innit? - Nigel Tufnel
The Godfather
Serpico
The Godfather: Part II
Dog Day Afternoon
...And Justice for All.
Scent of a Woman
Carlito's Way
Donnie Brasco
The Insider
I don't think Al Pacino over acted in any of these. Scarface is the only film that qualifies for over acting in my book, and I thought he played a Cuban drug dealer pretty much the way he should be played.
What? He did not overact in And Justice for All? Are you kidding?
Besides this is post scent of a woman Pacino we are talking. Heat came out the same year as Seven, and he also played a detective. I say, based on that performance, it would not work.
"You keep him in here, and make sure HE doesn't leave!"
Honestly can't see Denzel and Pacino working. That was right around Heat for Pacino and he doesn't do laid back well. Neither does Denzel. I mean there was an entire movie where he was the only guy only an island that wasn't laid back.share
Denzel and Freeman acted together in Glory. There Freeman played the wise older sergeant and Washington the brash, impetuous young enlistee. The dynamic would have worked but that was 1988 and I think Denzel was too old by 1995.
shareDenzel, though I love his acting(Training Day, Fallen and all)is great I do not think he is the right choice, even when he is a brute has never been DUMB. He has intelligence, that you can see through the lens. Whereas Pitt can put across dumb(see Kalifornia with a K) where he plays the serial killer to a T. Also, see Pitt in "True Romance" where he plays the stoner on the coach smoking MJ out of the converted honey bear. And Pitt comes across as a dumbsh()t in "Thelma and Loise"
Just FYI if you like Morgan Freeman and are looking for his greatest acting parts please take the time to view "Under Suspicion" with Hackman who has recently passed and see why many actors consider Hackman as underrated.
Gene Hackman is still alive and well, FYI.
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