The Equalizer

Last updated

The Equalizer
The Equalizer.png
Created by
  • Michael Sloan
  • Richard Lindheim
Original work The Equalizer (1985–1989)
Owners NBCUniversal
( Comcast ) (television shows)
Columbia Pictures (Sony Pictures)(films)
Years1985–present
Films and television
Film(s)
Television series

The Equalizer is an American vigilante action thriller multimedia franchise initially co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. It originated with a CBS television series from 1985 to 1989 starring Edward Woodward. The concept was thereafter rebooted twice with a trilogy of movies ( The Equalizer in 2014, The Equalizer 2 in 2018, and The Equalizer 3 in 2023) starring Denzel Washington and a re-imagined 2021 television series, also on CBS, starring Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall. Original co-creator Michael Sloan has written a series of novels featuring Robert McCall, with the first volume published in 2014.

Contents

The franchise centers on a retired intelligence agent with a mysterious past who uses the skills from their former career to exact justice on behalf of innocent people who find themselves in dangerous circumstances while sometimes also dealing with people from their past in covert operations who want to pull them back in or settle old scores.

Television series

Edward Woodward in 1985 TV series The Equalizer, Boxed Set DVD Cover.png
Denzel Washington 2018.jpg
Queen Latifah at Kennedy Center Honors Dinner (53374125172) (cropped) (cropped).jpg
Actors who have starred in The Equalizer media: Edward Woodward in the 1985 TV series, Denzel Washington in the 2010s films, and Queen Latifah in the 2021 series

Original series (1985–1989)

The original show ran for four seasons of 22 episodes each. It was initially renewed for a fifth season (causing Keith Szarabajka to turn down a role on Midnight Caller ). The show was later canceled, though, due to a row between CBS and Universal Studios over the renewal of Murder, She Wrote . [1] In The Story of The Equalizer, created for the DVD box set, executive producer Coleman Luck also stated that Universal requested a script for a crossover episode with Magnum, P.I. despite the objections of the crew due to the vastly different tones of the two shows. Ultimately, the crossover did not happen, and the episode was rewritten as "Beyond Control".

The show's theme music was created by composer/performer Stewart Copeland, his first effort at theme music composition in what would become a lengthy career in that field. [2] The track is called "Busy Equalizing". An extended version appears on his album The Equalizer and Other Cliff Hangers.

Reboot series (2021–)

In November 2019, CBS announced that a reboot was in development with Queen Latifah in the lead role as Robyn McCall. Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller were to serve as showrunners with Latifah herself as an executive producer. [3] On January 27, 2020, CBS ordered a pilot for the new version. [4]

The series was among the 14 pilots ordered by CBS in February 2020 and was fast tracked to series the following March, as they were unable to film their pilots where Universal Television was shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. [5]

On May 8, 2020, CBS picked up the series [6] and they added Chris Noth as William Bishop, a quirky ex-CIA director, who is the opposite of Latifah. [7] It premiered on February 7, 2021, after Super Bowl LV. [8]

In March 2021, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on October 10, 2021. In May 2022, the series was renewed for its third and fourth seasons. The third season premiered on October 2, 2022. [9] The fourth season finale aired on May 19, 2024. [10]

Film series

The Equalizer (2014)

In June 2010, Russell Crowe was reportedly looking to bring The Equalizer to the big screen and to be directed by Paul Haggis, with Crowe attached to play Robert McCall. [11] [12]

In December 2011, Denzel Washington was announced to star in the title role of the film version, to be financed by Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists. [11] [13] Director Antoine Fuqua came on board to direct on March 21, 2013, reuniting him with Washington after their successful collaboration on the 2001 Oscar-winning film Training Day . [14] Chloë Grace Moretz was announced as a co-star on May 10, 2013; Anna Kendrick, Kelly Macdonald, and Nina Dobrev were also considered. [15] On May 31, 2013, Melissa Leo was cast in the film. Leo previously worked with Washington in the 2012 film Flight , and with Fuqua in Olympus Has Fallen (2013). [16] Coincidentally, Leo actually guest-starred in a season-one episode of the original Equalizer television series titled "The Defector", in which she portrayed the daughter of a former Soviet agent, who enlists McCall's help to defect to the United States. Marton Csokas was cast to play the villain on May 17. [17]

The Equalizer grossed $101.5 million in North America and $90.8 million in other territories for a worldwide gross of $192.3 million, against a net production budget of $55 million. [18]

The Equalizer 2 (2018)

On February 24, 2014, seven months before the release of The Equalizer , Sony Pictures Entertainment and Escape Artists announced they were planning a sequel, with Richard Wenk penning the script again. [19] [20] In early October 2014, Antoine Fuqua stated that sequel to the film would be made only if audiences and Denzel Washington wanted it. He said he was an interesting character, and that the sequel could have more of an international flavor. [21]

On April 22, 2015, Sony officially announced a sequel, with Washington returning to his role as vigilante Robert McCall. Fuqua's returning was not yet confirmed. [22] In September 2016, producer Todd Black revealed that the script of the film was complete, and that Fuqua would return to direct, with shooting set to begin in September 2017. [23]

The Equalizer 2 grossed $102.1 million in the United States and Canada, and $88.3 million in other territories, for a total worldwide gross of $190.4 million, against a production budget of $62 million. [24]

The Equalizer 3 (2023)

A third film with Washington and director Antoine Fuqua returning, was filmed in October 2022, on the Amalfi Coast in Italy. [25] The film was released on September 1, 2023. [26]

Literature

Novels

A series of novels featuring Robert McCall has been written by the original co-creator Michael Sloan. The first is simply entitled The Equalizer published in 2014, followed by Killed in Action: An Equalizer Novel, which was released in 2018. [27] The novels are a modern reimagining of the original series and focus on McCall leaving the Company and eventually becoming a private investigator in New York. It also features a number of original recurring characters from the television series, such as Mickey Kostmayer, Control, and Scott McCall. A third novel, Equalizer: Requiem was released in 2020. [28]

List of novels

  • The Equalizer (2014) – by Michael Sloan
  • Killed in Action: An Equalizer Novel (2018) – by Michael Sloan
  • Equalizer: Requiem (2020) – by Michael Sloan

Related Research Articles

Miramax, LLC, formerly known as Miramax Films, is an American independent film and television production and distribution company founded on December 19, 1979, by Harvey and Bob Weinstein, and based in Los Angeles, California. Today, it is owned by beIN Media Group and Paramount Global.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Denzel Washington</span> American actor (born 1954)

Denzel Hayes Washington Jr. is an American actor, producer, and director. Known for his dramatic roles on stage and screen, The New York Times named him the greatest actor of the 21st century in 2020. He has received several accolades, including two Academy Awards, three Golden Globe Awards, and a Tony Award as well as nominations for two Emmy Awards and a Grammy Award. Washington has been honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2016, AFI Life Achievement Award in 2019, and the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2022.

<i>Training Day</i> 2001 film directed by Antoine Fuqua

Training Day is a 2001 American crime thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by David Ayer. It stars Denzel Washington as Alonzo Harris and Ethan Hawke as Jake Hoyt, two LAPD narcotics officers followed over a 24-hour period in the gang-ridden neighborhoods of Westlake, Echo Park, and South Central Los Angeles. It also features Scott Glenn, Eva Mendes, Cliff Curtis, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, and Macy Gray in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Goldberg</span> American actor (born 1970)

Adam Goldberg is an American actor. Known for his supporting roles in film and television, Goldberg has appeared in films such as Dazed and Confused, Saving Private Ryan, A Beautiful Mind and Zodiac. He has also played leading roles in independent films such as The Hebrew Hammer and 2 Days in Paris. His TV appearances include the shows Law & Order: Criminal Intent, My Name Is Earl, Friends, Entourage, The Jim Gaffigan Show, The Unusuals and his role as hitman Grady Numbers in the first season of Fargo. Since 2021 he has starred opposite Queen Latifah on CBS' The Equalizer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Antoine Fuqua</span> American film director (born 1965)

Antoine Fuqua is an American film director known for his work in the action and thriller genres. He was originally known as a director of music videos, and made his film debut in 1998 with The Replacement Killers. His critical breakthrough was the 2001 crime thriller Training Day, winning the Black Reel Award for Outstanding Director.

<i>The Equalizer</i> (1985 TV series) American television series (1985–1989)

The Equalizer is an American crime drama/action thriller television series, originally airing on CBS from September 18, 1985, to August 24, 1989; which was co-created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. It starred Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a retired intelligence agent with a mysterious past, who uses the skills from his former career to exact justice on behalf of innocent people who find themselves in dangerous circumstances, while sometimes also dealing with people from his past in covert operations who want to pull him back in or settle old scores. The show has inspired further works, including three feature films and a re-imagined series.

<i>The Queen Latifah Show</i> Former American television talk show

The Queen Latifah Show is an American television talk show hosted by Queen Latifah. The original The Queen Latifah Show ran from September 13, 1999, to August 31, 2001. The revamped The Queen Latifah Show ran from September 16, 2013, to March 6, 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew W. Marlowe</span> American screenwriter

Andrew W. Marlowe is an American screenwriter, producer, and showrunner. He is best known as the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of Castle, a crime mystery dramedy that ran on ABC from 2009 to 2016 and starred Nathan Fillion in the eponymous role. He is also known as the writer of the Harrison Ford thriller Air Force One.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Liza Lapira</span> American actress (born 1981)

Liza Lapira is an American actress. She played Kianna in the 2008 film 21, Special Agent Michelle Lee in the CBS police procedural series NCIS, and Ivy, Topher Brink's assistant, in Dollhouse. Lapira has also co-starred in the short-lived sitcoms Traffic Light, Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23, Super Fun Night, and 9JKL. As of 2024, she currently stars in CBS's The Equalizer. She also voiced Disgust in the Pixar animated film Inside Out 2, replacing Mindy Kaling from the first film.

<i>Olympus Has Fallen</i> 2013 American action thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua

Olympus Has Fallen is a 2013 American political action thriller film directed and co-produced by Antoine Fuqua from a screenplay written by Creighton Rothenberger and Katrin Benedikt, and is the first installment in the Has Fallen film series. The film stars Gerard Butler, Aaron Eckhart, and Morgan Freeman with Angela Bassett, Robert Forster, Cole Hauser, Ashley Judd, Melissa Leo, Dylan McDermott, Radha Mitchell, and Rick Yune in supporting roles.

<i>The Equalizer</i> (film) 2014 American film by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer is a 2014 American vigilante action-thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Richard Wenk. It is based on the 1980s TV series of the same title and the first of three films starring Denzel Washington. The cast includes Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo. Washington plays Robert McCall, an ex-Marine and DIA officer, who reluctantly returns to action to protect a teenage trafficking victim from the members of the Russian mafia.

<i>The Magnificent Seven</i> (2016 film) American film by Antoine Fuqua

The Magnificent Seven is a 2016 American Western action film directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Nic Pizzolatto and Richard Wenk. It is a remake of the 1960 film of the same name, which itself was a remake of Akira Kurosawa's 1954 film Seven Samurai. The film stars Denzel Washington, Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'Onofrio, Lee Byung-hun, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Martin Sensmeier, and Peter Sarsgaard. It was the final film of composer James Horner, who died the previous year after composing part of the score. His friend Simon Franglen completed the music. Principal photography began on May 18, 2015, north of Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

The 46th NAACP Image Awards, presented by the NAACP, honored outstanding representations and achievements of people of color in motion pictures, television, music and literature during the 2014 calendar year. The 46th ceremony was hosted by Anthony Anderson and broadcast on TV One.

<i>The Equalizer 2</i> 2018 American action crime drama film directed by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer 2 is a 2018 American vigilante action-thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua. It is the sequel to the 2014 film The Equalizer, which was based on the TV series of the same name, as well as the second installment of The Equalizer trilogy. The film stars Denzel Washington in the lead role, Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, Melissa Leo, Bill Pullman, and Orson Bean in his final film role. It follows Marine Corps veteran and retired DIA officer Robert McCall as he sets out on a path of revenge after one of his friends is murdered. The film is the fourth collaboration between Washington and Fuqua, following Training Day (2001), The Equalizer (2014), and The Magnificent Seven (2016), and marks the first time Washington has starred in a sequel to one of his films.

Bad Boys is a series of American action comedy films starring Will Smith and Martin Lawrence as two detectives in the Miami Police Department, Mike Lowrey and Marcus Burnett. The series was created by George Gallo. Joe Pantoliano appears in all four films, and Theresa Randle appears in the first three films being replaced by Tasha Smith in the fourth film. Michael Bay directed the first two films and Adil & Bilall directed the third and fourth. Gabrielle Union, who starred in the second installment, later starred alongside Jessica Alba in a spin-off television series, L.A.'s Finest. Will Smith, Martin Lawrence and Joe Pantoliano are the only actors to have appeared in all four films.

<i>Training Day</i> (TV series) 2017 American television series

Training Day is an American crime-thriller television series that aired on CBS from February 2 to May 20, 2017. The series serves as a follow-up to the 2001 film of the same name. It stars Bill Paxton and Justin Cornwell, and is known for being one of Paxton's final performances prior to his death in February 2017.

David Guggenheim is an American screenwriter, producer, and novelist. He is best known for writing the 2012 films Safe House and Stolen, as well as creating and writing for the 2016 television series Designated Survivor. In 2013, the film rights to a suspense novel published by Little, Brown and Company that Guggenheim co-wrote with Nicholas Mennuti entitled Weaponized, were purchased by Bluegrass Films and Guggenheim was attached as screenwriter. He also worked on an earlier draft of Bad Boys for Life, and the screenplays for Uncharted and the upcoming film Narco Sub.

<i>The Equalizer</i> (2021 TV series) 2021 American crime drama television series

The Equalizer is an American crime drama television series that premiered on CBS on February 7, 2021. It is the reboot of the original series of the same name created by Michael Sloan and Richard Lindheim. The series is co-created by executive producers Lindheim, with Sloan, and Queen Latifah, who also stars as the titular character. John Davis, John Fox, Debra Martin Chase, Andrew Marlowe, and Terri Miller also serve as executive producers. Lindheim died from heart failure on January 18, 2021, while working on the series; the series premiere is dedicated to his memory.

Richard Wenk is an American film screenwriter and director best known for his work on The Equalizer film series (2014–2023).

<i>The Equalizer 3</i> 2023 film by Antoine Fuqua

The Equalizer 3 is a 2023 American vigilante action-thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua. It is a sequel to The Equalizer 2 and the third and final installment of The Equalizer trilogy, based on the television series of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington, reprising his role as retired U.S. Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, with Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, and Remo Girone in supporting roles. In the film, McCall discovers that his new friends in a small town in South Italy are intimidated by Camorra members, where he sets out to save them from the threat.

References

  1. ↑ Galbraith, Stuart (May 23, 2017). "The Equalizer: The Complete Collection (plus CI5: The New Professionals - The Complete Series & A Congregation of Ghosts)". DVDTalk.
  2. ↑ Smart, Christina (March 31, 2022). "The Composition of Stewart Copeland". Washington City Paper.
  3. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (November 4, 2019). "'The Equalizer' TV Series Starring Queen Latifah in the Works at CBS". Collider.
  4. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (January 27, 2020). "'The Equalizer Reboot Starring Queen Latifah Gets CBS Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 3, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Development Update" from The Futon Critic (March 13, 2020)
  6. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Dramas 'The Equalizer' With Queen Latifah & 'Clarice', Chuck Lorre Comedy 'B Positive' Picked Up To Series By CBS". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  7. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2020). "Chris Noth Joins Queen Latifah In 'The Equalizer' CBS Series". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved May 8, 2020.
  8. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (December 3, 2020). "'The Equalizer' Starring Queen Latifah Lands Post-Super Bowl Slot On CBS; 'FBI' Midseason Return Set Post-AFC Championship Game". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  9. ↑ Berman, Marc (October 4, 2022). "Sunday Ratings: Football Rules; Modest Sampling for 'East New York' on CBS; CW Premieres Left at the Starting Gate". Programming Insider. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
  10. ↑ "CBS Announces Season Finale Airdates for 2023-2024" (Press release). CBS. April 8, 2024 – via The Futon Critic.
  11. 1 2 Schaefer, Sandy (October 25, 2012). "Denzel Washington’s ‘Equalizer’ Secures Start Date; Lining Up Directors". Screen Rant.
  12. ↑ "Russell Crowe Looking To Bring Back The Equalizer". The Film Stage. June 15, 2010. Archived from the original on March 29, 2014. Retrieved June 15, 2010.
  13. ↑ "Sony sets 'Equalizer' redo with Denzel Washington". Variety . December 13, 2011. Retrieved December 13, 2011.
  14. ↑ Fleming, Mike (March 21, 2013). "Antoine Fuqua Eyes 'Training Day' Re-Team With Denzel Washington In 'The Equalizer'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 21, 2013.
  15. ↑ Fleming, Mike (May 10, 2013). "Chloe Moretz Getting Lead in 'Equalizer' Movie With Denzel Washington". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  16. ↑ Fleming, Mike (May 30, 2013). "Melissa Leo Joining Denzel Washington In 'The Equalizer'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 1, 2013.
  17. ↑ "Marton Csokas to Play the Villain in The Equalizer". Comingsoon.net. May 18, 2013. Archived from the original on June 7, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
  18. ↑ "The Equalizer (2014) - Box Office Mojo". September 26, 2014. Retrieved January 13, 2014.
  19. ↑ Sneider, Jeff (February 24, 2014). "Sequel to Denzel Washington Thriller 'Equalizer' Moves Forward as Sony Brings Back Writer Richard Wenk". TheWrap . Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  20. ↑ Chitwood, Adam (February 24, 2014). "Sony Developing THE EQUALIZER 2 Following Positive Test Scores; Denzel Washington Expected to Return". Collider . Complex Media . Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  21. ↑ Lang, Brent (October 1, 2014). "'Equalizer' Director Antoine Fuqua: 'I Don't Believe I Should Filter the Violence'". Variety . Retrieved June 12, 2015.
  22. ↑ "Denzel Washington's 'The Equalizer' to Get Sequel". Variety . April 22, 2015. Retrieved April 23, 2015.
  23. ↑ Trumbore, Dave (September 22, 2016). "The Equalizer 2 Filming Starts in 2017; Antoine Fuqua Returns". Collider . Complex . Retrieved September 28, 2016.
  24. ↑ "The Equalizer 2 (2018)". Box Office Mojo . Retrieved November 30, 2018.
  25. ↑ Vivarelli, Nick (November 2, 2022). "'Equalizer 3' Drug Bust: Italian Police Seize 120 Grams of Cocaine From Film's Caterers, Raid Hotel Rooms". Variety.
  26. ↑ Morales, Wilson (January 12, 2022). "Exclusive: Denzel Washington Will Start Shooting The Equalizer 3 With Antoine Fuqua in 2022". BlackFilmandTV.com. Retrieved January 12, 2022.
  27. ↑ "Killed in Action". www.goodreads.com/. Goodreads, Inc.
  28. ↑ "Equalizer: Requiem". www.goodreads.com/. Goodreads, Inc.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.