When Nicolas Winding Refn dropped out of directing THE EQUALIZER remake with Denzel Washington, my interest faded quickly. Sure, the show was popular when it was on the air, but without a unique direction for the movie version, it would just end up looking like any of the generic Denzel movies from the last 20 years like UNSTOPPABLE or DEJA VU. Unless this news turns out to be true.
Deadline now has RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES director Rupert Wyatt as the top name in contention to take over THE EQUALIZER. Wyatt certainly proved his chops with that movie has has been linked to pretty much every major project since then. THE EQUALIZER would be an interesting choice for him and would harken back to his directing debut, THE ESCAPIST.
THE EQUALIZER starred Edward Woodward as a mysterious former covert operations officer who helps people in trouble. The film has that basic premise but takes off in its own way, tailored to Washington’s skills. He’ll play a solitary, monastic figure who hates injustice and devotes himself to helping people who are being victimized.
The film is looking to shoot starting in June to make a 2014 release which could be complicated by the fact that Wyatt still has a deal for another film at Fox (THE EQUALIZER will be released by Sony) as well as the planned adaptation of the novel BIRDSONG which has Nicholas Hoult attached. Wyatt is also due to direct the pilot for the upcoming AMC series TURN, which takes place during the American Revolution.
Signs are pointing to this being a tight squeeze for Wyatt, but if it works out, THE EQUALIZER is a must see project again.
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed