David Fincher’s Se7en is a quintessential serial killer thriller. Heavily inspired by film noirs, Fincher took Andrew Kevin Walker’s grisly take on a buddy cop story – which was plenty of gruesome fun on its own – and turned it into a bleak cinematic masterwork.
Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman made for a pair of well-matched leads in the roles of Mills and Somerset, the rookie cop partnered with the veteran detective on the verge of retirement. Studio executives were wary of the film’s graphic content, but it quickly became a box office smash. Here are 10 surprising facts about the making of Se7en.
BRAD PITT REFUSED TO MAKE THE MOVIE IF STUDIO EXECUTIVES CHANGED THE ENDING
When Brad Pitt came aboard Se7en, he came up with the movie’s ending. He thought that Mills should be the one to kill John Doe, which would give the movie a somber, realistic ending without the big, satisfying moment of retribution that most of these movies have.
Initially, executives at New Line Cinema despised this ending, and tried to have it changed. However, Pitt threatened not to do the movie if they changed the ending, and they were forced to relent.
GUILLERMO DEL TORO TURNED DOWN THE CHANCE TO DIRECT SE7EN
The great Guillermo del Toro was offered the chance to direct Se7en, but he turned it down, because the film’s dark, cynical, nihilistic view of the world was at odds with his own romantic, optimistic viewpoint.
Scanners’ David Cronenberg was also offered the chance to direct the film, but he also turned it down, so the studio eventually reached out to David Fincher. And even Fincher was initially reluctant, because he worried it was too formulaic as a buddy cop movie.
THE STUDIO WANTED TO PUSH KEVIN SPACEY AS THE STAR
At the time of Se7en’s release, Kevin Spacey was a huge star (not so much anymore, for obvious reasons), and so the studio wanted to center the marketing campaign around him. However, the filmmakers objected, as they wanted the reveal of the killer to be a surprise to moviegoers.
They even insisted on keeping his name out of the opening credits (and his name was added to the end credits twice to make up for it). This strategy worked out for Spacey, as it meant that while the other actors were going on talk shows and promoting the movie around the country, he could kick back and preserve the big plot twist.
LELAND ORSER WENT TO EXTREME LENGTHS TO PREPARE FOR THE INTERROGATION SCENE
In order to nail his intensity in the interrogation scene, Leland Orser did rapid breathing between takes to saturate his body with oxygen and allow him to hyperventilate at will.
He also deprived himself of sleep for a few days before shooting the scene, so that he’d look suitably disoriented.
THE FILM GOT ITS UNIQUELY GLOOMY LOOK FROM A BLEACH BY
David Fincher’s vision for this movie was to essentially make a black-and-white movie in color. He brought on cinematographer Darius Khondji – who, at the time, was known for shooting perfume commercials – to pull off this effect.
The signature gloomy look of Se7en was mainly achieved with a chemical process called “bleach by.” Plus, the silver was left in the film stock, which added to the darkness of each shot.
DENZEL WASHINGTON AND SYLVESTER STALLONE TURNED DOWN BRAD PITT’S ROLE
The role of Mills was offered to Denzel Washington, who turned it down because he found the material to be too dark, and Sylvester Stallone, who turned it down for an unspecified reason.
Both actors have since said that they regret rejecting the role. Brad Pitt has said that one of the reasons why he took the part was to get the taste of cheese out of his mouth after starring in the unbearably schmaltzy Legends of the Fall.
ANDREW KEVIN WALKER HAD A TOUGH TIME SELLING THE SCRIPT
Screenwriter Andrew Kevin Walker had a really tough time getting a studio to buy his very darkly themed script for Se7en, because he was a total unknown in Hollywood. He reportedly put together a list of every agent that represented writers of crime movies and thrillers and called every single one until he got a positive response.
Walker has said that his time living in New York was hugely influential on the script (despite the fact that the setting is never specified in the film itself). Although he didn’t enjoy living in the city, if he hadn’t lived there, he wouldn’t have written Se7en.
THE “SLOTH” VICTIM’S MAKEUP TOOK 14 HOURS TO APPLY
The makeup for John Doe’s “sloth” victim took 14 hours to apply. The “gluttony” victim was played by Bob Mack. Seven crates of live cockroaches were brought in for the scene and poured on Mack’s head.
His nose and ears had to be plugged up to prevent the roaches from crawling inside his head. However, nothing could be done to stop them from crawling into his underwear. You have to do some awful things when you’re trying to make it as an actor...
AL PACINO WAS THE FIRST CHOICE FOR MORGAN FREEMAN’S ROLE
The first choice for the role of Somerset was Al Pacino, but he had to turn it down, because he’d already signed on to star in City Hall. He’s since said that he regrets turning down the part. After Pacino turned it down, the role was offered to Gene Hackman, who rejected it, because he didn’t want to do so many night shoots.
David Fincher was hesitant to offer the part to Morgan Freeman, because he expected him to turn it down for being too dark. To his surprise, Freeman loved the project and was the first actor to sign up.
IN THE ORIGINAL ENDING, SOMERSET SHOT JOHN DOE
In the original ending of the script, Somerset was the one who shot John Doe and Mills’ hands were clean. Morgan Freeman liked the ending, because it meant that the older detective would be allowing the younger detective to have a prosperous life after the credits rolled.
However, Brad Pitt didn’t like the ending, for that reason exactly. He didn’t think Mills would do the right thing; he thought he would instead act out of ion.
