the Equalizer
Inspired by the Equalizer TV show from the 1980s, this new film of the same name has Denzel Washington playing Robert McCall. British actor Edward Woodward, who passed away in 2009, originated the role.
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Though Russell Crowe was originally attached to play McCall, we're excited to see Washington in the lead role. It's rumored that he'll return as McCall for the sequel, which Sony currently has in the works.
According to TheWrap.com, test screenings of The Equalizer are scoring "through the roof" and received "the highest scores of an R-rated film in the studio's history." This could turn out to be the next big action franchise, assuming it does well at the box office in September.
The story focuses on a teen girl named Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), who is tormented by brutal Russian gangsters. Though McCall has faked his own death to live peacefully, away from guns and violence, he decides to come out of retirement help Teri find a new life.
The role of Teri was originally written for an older actress, but director Antoine Fuqua (Training Day) insisted they cast Moretz and make the character younger. It's been a busy year for Moretz, who also stars in the film If I Stay, set to release next week.
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Also in the film is actress Melissa Leo (Treme), who has an interesting connection to The Equalizer. Back in 1985, Leo guest-starred on the TV show as a Russian in an episode called "The Defector."
In this trailer, we get to hear a bit of Sia and Eminem's new song, "Guts Over Fear," which makes the perfect anthem for a character like McCall.
The Equalizer opens in theaters Sept. 26.