Denzel Washington’s Most Beloved Franchise Is Ending
Denzel Washington will say goodbye to Robert McCall in The Equalizer 3, as the film will be his final outing as the vigilante. The revelation was made by director Antoine Fuqua via Games Radar. “I don’t see another one in it for me,” the filmmaker explained. “From my conversations with Denzel, this is the final one [for him] as well.”
Described as a vigilante action flick, Denzel Washington’s Equalizer 3 centers around retired U.S. Marine and former DIA operative Robert McCall who is living a quiet life in Southern Italy. However, he soon discovers that his new community is controlled by a local criminal syndicate. When the situation escalates, McCall takes on the gang to safeguard his friends.
Filmmaker Antoine Fuqua recently revealed that he has no plans to make any more films in Denzel Washington’s Equalizer franchise.
Along with Denzel Washington, The Equalizer 3 also stars Dakota Fanning, David Denman, Sonia Ammar, and Remo Girone. Though details about Dakota Fanning’s character remain limited, the actress previously revealed that she plays a low-level CIA agent who gets a phone call from an informant alerting her to criminal activities in Italy.
Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Dakota Fanning explained that her character crosses paths with McCall and must figure out why he contacted her. “I’ll get to go toe-to-toe with Denzel [Washington], which is always fun. Getting to work with the best, you absorb the best,” the actress said about working on The Equalizer 3, which hits theaters on September 1.
“I don’t see another one in it for me. From my conversations with Denzel, this is the final one [for him] as well.”
Antoine Fuqua on The Equalizer franchise
Denzel Washington also expressed his enthusiasm for revisiting the franchise, deeming it The Equalizer 3 unfinished business. He previously shared that fans have always asked about a third installment, saying, “I talk to them about other films [and] they’re like, ‘Oh yeah, Fences, yeah, good movie. But when is the next Equalizer?'”
Denzel Washington made his Equalizer debut in 2014, starring as Robert McCall, a retired black-ops operative who leads a quiet life working at a hardware store. When he meets a young girl named Teri, who is caught up in the dangerous world of Russian mafia prostitution, McCall decides to take matters into his own hands.
“I’ll get to go toe-to-toe with Denzel [Washington], which is always fun. Getting to work with the best, you absorb the best,”
Dakota Fanning
The Denzel Washington-led movie was a success at the box office, leading to the creation of a sequel, The Equalizer 2. Released in 2018, the story finds McCall working as a Lyft driver to keep an eye on the city and identify those who need his help. When his close friend and former colleague is murdered, McCall takes it upon himself to find and bring the killers to justice.
As he delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers a complex web of conspiracy and betrayal. The film also explores McCall’s history and unwavering commitment to protecting the innocent. Led by Denzel Washington, The Equalizer 2 further develops McCall’s character and adds emotional depth to the action-packed narrative.
In Denzel Washington’s expansive four-decade-long acting career, The Equalizer stands as his only film series. Drawing inspiration from the CBS show featuring Edward Woodward, which aired from 1985 to 1989, Washington’s portrayal of McCall exudes an unstoppable energy reminiscent of his iconic action character Creasy from Tony Scott’s 2004 suspenseful film Man on Fire.
“I talk to them about other films [and] they’re like, ‘Oh yeah, Fences, yeah, good movie. But when is the next Equalizer?'”
Denzel Washington
Speaking to Empire, Fuqua explained that the Denzel Washington Equalizer trilogy will end on a satisfying note. “This is it. Robert McCall, the working-man hero, at some point he’s got to walk away from it. At some point, someone else has to pick up the ball and serve justice,” Faqua said.
After Equalizer 3 hits theaters, Denzel Washington will appear in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator 2. Meanwhile, Fuqua’s next project is a biopic called Michael, centered around the legendary King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The movie will feature Jackson’s 26-year-old nephew, Jaafar Jackson, in a prominent role.
