Denzel Washington Replaces Russel Crowe as Lead in The Equalizer Movie
Posted 12.14.11 by BrentJS
Beyond the addition of Paul Haggis (Quantum of Solace) as screenwriter, there has been virtually nothing heard about the planned big screen adaptation of The Equalizer TV show since it was first revealed back in June 2010 that Russel Crowe was attached to star in it. Though the project was presumed to be dead in the water, it appears that it is alive and kicking, albeit with a different A-list actor in the lead.
According to THR, the movie is still in development at Escape Artists — the production company which recently had its first-look, non-exclusive deal with Sony Pictures re-upped for three more years — but Crowe is out and two-time Academy Award-winner Denzel Washington (Training Day, Glory) is in.
The Equalizer starred British actor Edward Woodward as a former secret agent-turned-vigilante named Robert McCall who sought revenge for the helpless in an effort to atone for the sins he committed while working for the mysterious CIA-like spy organization known only as "The Company." The series, which initially began on CBS, ran for four seasons totaling 88 episodes between 1985 and 1989.
It's unknown at this time how closely Haggis' script will stick to the ideas and concepts expressed in the original TV series (or, for that matter, if Haggis, who directed Crowe in The Next Three Days, is still involved with the movie now that Crowe is out). It's also unknown whether Washington will play Robert McCall or a different character with similar motivations.
Here's a blast from the past for you — the intro to the original TV series: