Washington reportedly rejected Mills as too dark and later regretted it.
The Stallone claim is doubted; Duvall and Hackman are reported Somerset alternatives, and Pacino reportedly chose City Hall.
Kilmer as John Doe is enthusiastically imagined after a reported rejection; a Chechik directing attachment is questioned.
The claim that del Toro rejected the film as too dark is treated skeptically.

Original top four; Jason Patric, Duvall, River Phoenix and an unresolved alternative

In the discussion (2)

Approx. transcript time · 01:06:17Read transcript

The top four are defended, with Jason suggested for Mills and Duvall for Somerset; another suggested name is unclear in the transcript.
River Phoenix is imagined as a compelling dark alternative had he lived.

Handwritten books; diner; fleeting face image; Michael Reid MacKay

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:07:25Read transcript

The books reportedly took two months and $15,000 to make; Pitt’s injury is recalled.
The diner is identified as the Quality Coffee Shop, also used in Training Day.
The fleeting Paltrow image before the shooting is compared with Fight Club’s film-frame imagery.
The very thin actor playing the chained victim is named and described as weighing ninety-eight pounds.

Tracy’s isolation and confidant; head shipment; dog; killer’s public behavior; Somerset’s reaction

In the discussion (7)

Approx. transcript time · 01:11:50Read transcript

Tracy’s lack of friends, the move, fear of discussing pregnancy and choice of Somerset as confidant are questioned, though the diner scene is defended as convincing.
The logistics of packaging, courier payment, blood and timing are explored without a settled explanation.
Whether the dog is killed, how the right size box is chosen and how much blood comes from the head are questioned.
An accomplice is proposed; the killer’s bloody taxi ride and uncontrolled behavior raise questions about earlier detection.
The head is imagined face-up; Somerset’s apparently restrained response is questioned.
Somerset’s suspicion during the car ride and established cynicism are offered to explain his reaction.
The panel doubts Mills ever looks inside the box after being restrained.

Favorite sin; tongue injury; dog’s fate; Somerset’s next day

In the discussion (4)

Approx. transcript time · 01:23:27Read transcript

Envy, sloth and wrath are separate favorite-sin answers.
The ability to bite off one’s tongue is disputed without reliable resolution.
The dogs are presumed alive but neglected because killing them would disturb the killer’s tally.
Somerset’s next day is imagined as leaving town or watching the Jets; a supposed extra ending about a football signing is a joke.