The Hollywood Reporter and Variety are both reporting that The Weinstein Company has signed Award-winning author Michael Connelly (of Harry Bosch fame) and Terrill Lee Lankford to write the script for the big screen adaptation of The Equalizer.

Michael is best known for his award-winning Harry Bosch novels, but has also written numerous stand alones. One of those stand alones, Blood Work, was turned into a film by Clint Eastwood and another, The Lincoln Lawyer, has been optioned.

Terrill Lee Lankford, in addition to being the author of four crime novels, has worked as a writer and director on several independant films.

The Equalizer will be directed by Paul McGuigan, director of Wicker Park and Lucky Number Slevin.

The series starred Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a former government agent that helped those in need. He ran an ad in the want ads reading “GOT A PROBLEM? ODDS AGAINST YOU? CALL THE EQUALIZER! ” Woodward won a Golden Globe in 1987. In the same year, the show picked up an Edgar for the episode The Cup. The Equalizer aired on CBS from 1985 to 1989.

Note: I am finding differing statements as to whether it was the want ads or the yellow pages that McCall placed his ads in. Since the series is not on DVD (Hey Uni, Put this series out!!), I can’t double check. I thought it was the yellow pages, but Mr. Mick feels it was the want ads. I am now thinking he is correct. Does anyone have the series on tape? Can you check and let me know what is correct?

Jeremy