Overview
- David Fincher has finally disclosed the actual contents of the box featured in *Seven*, putting an end to lingering myths.
- The famous box did not contain a prosthetic head, although Fincher calculated its weight for realistic effect.
- Brad Pitt advocated for the film’s darker conclusion, as the studio initially preferred a more upbeat resolution.
As *Seven* approaches its 30th anniversary in 2025, director David Fincher has commemorated this milestone by sharing intriguing insights about the film, particularly regarding what was concealed within the notorious box during filming.
Released in 1995, *Seven* is a groundbreaking crime thriller featuring actors Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman as an unlikely duo of detectives on the trail of a brutal serial killer who meticulously chooses victims based on the seven deadly sins. Upon its debut, *Seven* was an unexpected box office success and has since earned its place as one of the most celebrated crime films ever produced, solidifying Fincher’s reputation as a master filmmaker. In recognition of its significant anniversary, a 4K remaster of *Seven* has recently been unveiled in theaters.
Note: This article contains spoilers for the plot and conclusion of *Seven*.
What’s Inside the Box (Really)?
During the promotional events surrounding the re-release of *Seven*, Fincher took the opportunity to discuss various aspects of the movie, sharing invaluable lessons learned along the way while revealing exclusive behind-the-scenes secrets. Central to these revelations was the mystery of what resided in the film’s climactic box. While fans of the film are familiar with the devastating contents (spoiler: Tracy’s head), a prevalent myth suggested the box housed a physical prosthetic replica of Gwyneth Paltrow’s head, despite the actual item never being shown on-screen.
Fincher has since debunked this mythology, describing it as “entirely ridiculous” during an interview with Entertainment Weekly. He did, however, explain that significant attention was paid to the box’s weight for authenticity. According to the director, “I think it was a shot bag and a wig… the wig had a little bit of blood in it.”
“No, it’s entirely ridiculous. I think we had a seven- or eight-pound shot bag. We had done the research to figure out, if Gwyneth Paltrow’s body mass index was X, what portion of that would be attributable to her head. And so we had an idea of what that would weigh, and I think there was a weight in it. And we did put a wig in there, so that when Morgan rips the box open if there were some of this tape that was used to seal the box — I think it was a shot bag and a wig, and I think the wig had a little bit of blood in it, so some of the hair would stick together. Remember, I think Morgan opened 16 or 17 of those things. But as I always say, you don’t need to see what’s in the box if you have Morgan Freeman.”
The Ending of *Seven* Was Almost Very Different
It is widely known that Fincher encountered considerable opposition regarding the film’s shocking finale. In the film’s climactic moment, John Doe orchestrates the delivery of a box to Detective Mills, revealing the severed head of his wife inside. Despite Doe being in custody, Mills, overcome with rage, disregards Somerset’s warnings and succumbs to his own wrath by shooting Doe. Initially, the studio expressed concerns that this conclusion was excessively grim. They wanted Mills to emerge as more of a hero by abstaining from shooting Doe and even proposed an alternative plot where the head in the box would belong to one of Mills’ dogs.
Brad Pitt staunchly defended the film’s darker ending, even insisting that he would walk away from the project unless “the head stays in the box.” He articulated that “He’s got to shoot the killer in the end. He doesn’t do the ‘right’ thing, he does the thing of passion.”
This creative decision ultimately proved crucial, as *Seven* continues to captivate and astonish viewers with its unexpected twists and haunting themes, rightfully earning its status as one of the greatest crime thrillers of all time.
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