As the 'Fast and Furious' series has progressed, the cast has steadily increased in size and star power. Just look at the line-up of this summer's 'Fast and Furious 6,' which somehow managed to wrangle up every cast member from across the franchise while adding a few more faces. Well, it looks like another character will be joining the crew for 'Fast and Furious 7,' but he will not be played by Denzel Washington...because he turned down the role.

According to Deadline's Mike Fleming (via IndieWire), director James Wan sought the two-time Oscar winner for a role in the soon-to-shoot film, but couldn't get him to sign on the dotted line. Although the part is described as small, there must be something special about it for Universal and Wan to even consider bringing it to a star of Washington's caliber.

With Jason Statham already playing the bad guy in 'Fast and Furious 7,' we guess it's some kind of mentor role. Maybe the guy who taught Vin Diesel everything he knows about cars? A super-genius criminal mastermind that the gang enlists to help them with their Statham problem? Replacing Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson? Whatever it is, Wan is still looking for someone to step into the part and he apparently really wants a recognizable name for it.

'Fast and Furious 7' is scheduled to arrive on July 6, 2014 so Wan better hurry up and find his man. He's got less than a year to top 'Fast and Furious 6' and that is no easy task.

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