Denzel Washington Is THE EQUALIZER!

Deadline is reporting Sony has officially signed Denzel Washington to headline their big screen reboot of the 80s series THE EQUALIZER. Pierre Morel (TAKEN), Nicolas Winding Refn (DRIVE), Gavin O’Connor (WARRIOR), and Gareth Evans (THE RAID: REDEMPTION) are being eyed to direct.

No word on what killed the long-gestating Paul Haggis/Russell Crowe version but one would probably be right in assuming that the box office failure of THE NEXT THREE DAYS probably had something to do with it. No matter, Denzel is the better choice in my opinion and will give this project the edge it needs to be more than just another TV-to-film adaptation.

For those who don’t remember the original show, THE EQUALIZER starred British actor Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a former secret agent of an unnamed organization, which was often referred to simply as "The Agency" or "The Company", who tries to atone for past sins by offering, free of charge, his services as a troubleshooter (often literally), a protector, and an investigator. People in need find him through a newspaper ad: "Got a problem? Odds against you? Call the Equalizer. 212 555 4200".

[via Deadline]