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When picturing Denzel Washington, one often visualizes him in gripping dramas, with iconic performances in films such as “Malcolm X,” “Philadelphia,” and “Training Day” likely coming to mind. However, Washington rarely steps into the realms of science fiction or horror, genres he has largely stayed away from. Yet, he did take on a role in a sci-fi movie that, despite not being widely remembered, stands out as a captivating narrative on time travel: the 2006 thriller “Déjà Vu.”
Buena Vista Motion Picture Distribution
While “Déjà Vu” might not be a frequent topic of conversation today, it was a significant theatrical success upon its release, showcasing a fascinating and intricate plot. Directed by Tony Scott, known for classics like “Top Gun,” the film marked the third collaboration between Scott and Washington, following “Crimson Tide” and “Man on Fire.” This duo went on to create five films together, with their final project even being one of Quentin Tarantino’s favorites.
In “Déjà Vu,” Washington portrays Douglas Carlin, an ATF agent tasked with capturing a terrorist responsible for a bomb attack. As he joins forces with the FBI’s investigation, he discovers they possess advanced technology that might allow him to travel back in time to prevent the bombing. The film expertly combines elements of science fiction with action and suspense, reminiscent of movies like “Timecop” and “Minority Report,” where protagonists utilize futuristic devices to thwart catastrophic events.
Actors often dive deep into their roles, conducting thorough research to authentically portray their characters. Denzel Washington is no exception, known for his immersive preparation methods—riding along with a police sergeant for “Ricochet,” training with real flight simulators for “Flight,” and honing his basketball skills for “He Got Game.” However, for “Déjà Vu,” Washington chose not to delve into the complexities of time travel. He intentionally avoided the subject.
In an interview with the BBC, Washington explained his choice, saying, “I didn’t want to know.” He felt that since his character was unaware of the time travel intricacies, he should be too, effectively becoming “the eyes and ears of the audience.” Despite the sometimes perplexing science, Washington believes such narratives captivate viewers because they tap into a universal desire to exert control over our lives amidst an often unpredictable world.
Denzel Washington intentionally didn’t research time travel for Déjà Vu
Buena Vista Motion Picture Distribution
Many actors take their dramatic roles extremely seriously and often research the subject matter deeply while exploring the real-life analogs of their characters to prepare for a film. Denzel Washington himself is known for this approach: He rode with a police sergeant for his role in the 1991 thriller “Ricochet,” used real flight simulators to ready himself for his role as a pilot in “Flight,” and practiced basketball every day for “He Got Game.” But when it came to “Déjà Vu,” the actor admits he didn’t do much research into the time travel aspects, and in fact, steered clear intentionally.
“I didn’t want to know,” Washington said in an interview with the BBC when asked about whether he tried to understand the time travel logic of the film. “My character doesn’t know, so I didn’t want to know. In some respects, I guess I’m the eyes and ears of the audience.” But Washington does know why these kinds of stories seem to resonate with audiences, even if the underlying science doesn’t make a lot of sense. “Probably now more than ever, there’s a desire to control what’s going on in our lives because we obviously can’t seem to control what’s going on in our world.”
Rather than try to grasp the time travel elements, Washington instead focused on his role as an ATF agent and spent time with a real one. “It’s a great job being able to step into all kinds of professions and into other people’s shoes.”
