What we first reported last December is now official: Denzel Washington will play Robert McCall in the upcoming film version of THE EQUALIZER.
Deadline is reporting that Sony pictures has set an April 8th start date for production. Sony is partnering with Escape Artist productions. EA has mixed big budget thrillers (THE TAKING OF 1-2-3 PELHAM) with dramas (SEVEN POUNDS). They previously worked with Washingon on PELHAM and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPYNESS.
The original 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.
No director is set, but the studio is now starting discussions with various potential candidates.