Denzel Washington has made a name for himself as one of the most talented and respected actors in Hollywood. Having several Oscar nominations and wins under his name, he has certainly become an icon and an inspiration for many newcomers in the industry. While he has been a part of several critically acclaimed works, one of his most notable has to be Training Day, alongside Ethan Hawke.
His performance as Alonzo Harris has been regarded as one of his most memorable. The crime-thriller also turned many heads, winning several Academy Awards. Knowing just how significant the movie was, it is interesting to know that Harris’ character was almost very different.
Denzel Washington’s Character In Training Day Was Supposed to Be Caucasian
Denzel Washington once gave an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, where he talked about his time working on the cult-classic, Training Day. The film is iconic and beloved for many reasons. However, one of the most well-known is because of Alonzo Harris’ character and the dynamic he shared with Ethan Hawke’s Jake Hoyt.
Considering just how many fans love the film and this aspect of it, it is safe to say that many would be surprised to know the original plan for Harris’ character. During the interview, Washington revealed that the original idea for his character was supposed to be very different.
I don’t think it was written for a Black guy. It was more like a plaid-shirt [wearing] guy with beer bottles in the back.
The character of Harris was originally supposed to be Caucasian. While many would assume that not a lot would be lost in a race change, Washington clarified that the personalities, as a whole, were very different between the original draw up and the final product.
How Was Denzel Washington’s Character Changed?
If there was such a major difference between the original Alonzo Harris and the one that Denzel Washington ended up playing, many may wonder how the minds of the producers were changed. It would seem that there is only one person to thank for it; Antoine Fuqua. During the interview, Washington revealed that it was the director of the film who decided to lean towards the change, and his authority was not questioned.
Antoine was the one that brought gangster to it.
It would also seem that this wasn’t the only change that Fuqua made to the movie, as a whole. During the interview, Washington also revealed that the movie and its atmosphere were supposed to be a lot different. The movie was originally supposed to take on a humorous tone, like Mel Gibson’s Lethal Weapon.
However, when Fuqua got involved with it, a shift was made to an overall, serious theme. Many fans may be appreciative of the huge difference, as the movie has been one of the most critically acclaimed chapters in Washington’s life.
Training Day is available for streaming on AppleTV.
