Denzel Washington could play a different character in The Man Inside.

Spike Lee “Inside Man” is a deep respect for New York and Sidney Lumet “Dog Day” steeped in post-9/11 anxiety, an eclectic cast, and unexpected twists and turns. Stylish and exciting, this popcorn flick is about the game of wits between law enforcement officers and bank robbers trying to get the hostages out safely. All of this takes place against the backdrop of Wall Street corruption and a bank owner with bloody hands.

There’s a palpable tension between Keith Fraser, who wants to become a detective after being falsely accused of stealing money from a drug bust, and robber Dalton Russell, who claims he’s going to pull off the “perfect bank robbery.” Spike Lee offered both of these lead roles to Denzel Washington, who had appeared in several of his other films, such as Mo’ Better Blues. Malcolm X and “He got the game.” How Spike Lee told GamesRadar+ (formerly Total Film)“When you’re dealing with someone like Denzel, you don’t decide what role he’s going to play.” Denzel Washington’s reputation and relationship with Spike Lee have given him carte blanche, so what will it be – a bank robber or a good guy?

According to Spike Lee, Denzel Washington told him, “I have to play a cop because the other guy’s face is covered up the whole movie!” (via GamesRadar+) Clive Owen had similar concerns about the role when Spike Lee offered him the role of burglar Dalton Russell, as he was hidden throughout the script with a mask and sunglasses. Owen explains GQ breaks down his most iconic characters that the script has been adjusted to include several moments that reveal his face. They end up being some of the best scenes in the film because they are so limited, including an intriguing opening where he breaks the fourth wall and directly addresses the audience with his devious plans and Shakespearean references.

Clive Owen mentions in his GQ interview that Spike Lee told him he needed someone who could “go toe to toe with Denzel because he’s so strong.” Owen’s steady, calm-as-a-cucumber demeanor is the perfect match for Washington’s charismatic swagger. The flamboyance and assertiveness that Washington brings to many of his performances was perfect for Frazier’s role, making his quick thinking and determination to solve the case all the more urgent. Clive Owen is known for roles with a quieter intensity. While both are incredible actors and could have easily switched roles, their different acting styles fit the characters perfectly, making the cat-and-mouse between them all the more exciting.