Denzel Washington has entered the time in his career when he’s starting to take stock of what he’s done and be a bit more picky when it comes to projects. We’ve already heard him talk about only working with the biggest names in filmmaking (including Ryan Coogler for “Black Panther 3”). But now, it appears he wants to make more films in his beloved “Equalizer” franchise.
Speaking to Esquire, while promoting his upcoming role in “Gladiator II,” Denzel Washington revealed that he’s planning on working on two (yes, two) new “Equalizer” sequels. He doesn’t give away any plot details, and he doesn’t say when they’re going to begin filming. However, it’s clear Washington is excited to return to the film series for a fourth and fifth time.
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“I told them I would do another ‘Equalizer,’ and we’re doing four and five,” Washington revealed. “More people are happy about that—people love those daggone ‘Equalizers.’ But I’ve come to realize that the ‘Equalizer’ films are for me, too, because they’re for the people. They want me to go get the bad guys. ‘We can’t get them, so you go get them.’ And I say, ‘Okay, I’ll get them! Just wait right there. I’ll be right back!’”
You have to assume the new “Equalizer” films will also see filmmaker Antoine Fuqua return. He’s directed the previous three in the franchise. The most recent film, “The Equalizer 3,” was released in 2023 and earned more than $191 million worldwide, off a reported $70 million budget. Apparently, that sort of profit is all that is needed for two more sequels to get a greenlight.
We’ll definitely have to wait and see how well Washington can do with the physicality that is required for the “Equalizer” franchise. The actor is turning 70 years old next month, so you have to assume he’d have to do the new sequels relatively soon. You wouldn’t want to see a 75-year-old man trying to intimidate bad guys.
In the meantime, you can see Denzel Washington in the upcoming “Gladiator II” which debuts in theaters later this week.
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