Denzel Washington turned down a role in the 'Fast & Furious' franchise.

'Fast & Furious 7' director James Wan - who replaces Justin Lin at the helm of the street-racing film series - had approached the '2 Guns' actor about taking on a villainous role, but he apparently declined, according to Deadline.

Had a deal been worked out, Washington's character would have been introduced in next year's 'Fast & Furious' movie in a minor role, before taking on a major role in the eighth instalment of the franchise.

Producers used a similar tactic earlier this summer with 'Fast & Furious 6' when 'Transporter' actor Jason Statham was introduced at the end of the movie as a new villain, who will become the main antagonist in the 2014 follow-up.

Vin Diesel, Paul Walker, Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez and Jordana Brewster are all expected to reprise their roles for the seventh movie.

Diesel - who also produces the series - recently revealed that the globe-trotting franchise will next shoot in Japan, after filming the sixth instalment in London and the fifth in Rio de Janeiro.

He said: ''We're definitely going back home [to the US], as you know from seeing 'Fast & Furious 6'.

''We will have a stint in Tokyo and there is the Middle East next, that could be very interesting.''

'Fast & Furious 7' is due for release in July 2014.