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
Even when Denzel plays a more cocky sort of character he seems quiet likable. Pitt is a better choice if you want the character to be a bit slimey and dirty feeling. (no offence to either-I like Pitt..he just can be better at slimey than Denzel)
shareMy reason for not going with Washington (and I'm a big fan of his as well) is that he was too old for this type of character. Mills is supposed to have been just promoted to detective, Washington was in his forties when this came out. As good as he is, I would NOT buy Denzel as a rookie then. If they wanted another black actor in that role, about the best choice would have been Will Smith. Other possibilities could have been Chris Rock (and if you don't think he can do drama, check out his performance in "New Jack City") or Eddie Murphy.
Annoying the world since 1960!
But Denzel always plays the same suave talking smart alecky prick in every movie. Even then I’m sure he would have gotten his way over a young punk in Fincher and played it his way when the script calls for a rough and rugged hot head, not a charming lady killer.
shareI think that would have been an equally great pairing.
shareI think just about any actor would have been better than Pitt. He is constantly overacting to the point it becomes a distraction.
shareI'm glad Pitt played Dt.Mills.We need the diversity.
shareAnyone instead of Pitt.
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