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Tag: the-equalizer

  • ‘Michael’ Interview: Antoine Fuqua and Graham King

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    ‘Michael’, the long-awaited biopic based on the life and career of legendary musician Michael Jackson, opens in theaters on April 24th.

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    The film, which was directed by Antoine Fuqua (‘The Equalizer’) and produced by Graham King (‘Bohemian Rhapsody’), stars Michael Jackson’s real-life nephew Jaafar Jackson as the King of Pop, as well as Colman Domingo (‘Sing Sing’) as Joe Jackson, Nia Long (‘Friday’) as Katherine Jackson, and Miles Teller (‘Top Gun: Maverick’) as Jackson’s manager John Banca.

    'Michael' producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua.
    ‘Michael’ producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Antoine Fuqua and producer Graham King about their work on ‘Michael’, developing the project, finding the right actor for the role, working with Jaafar Jackson, what moments from Michael’s life they wanted to focus on, which moments they wish they could have included or spent more time on, creating the costumes, and if Fuqua kept any mementos from the production.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews.

    Related Article: Director Antoine Fuqua Talks ‘The Equalizer 3’

    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Director Antoine Fuqua on the set of 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson and Director Antoine Fuqua on the set of ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson/Lionsgate.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Antoine, what was your first reaction to reading John Logan’s screenplay and why you personally wanted to tell Michael’s story on the big screen?

    Antoine Fuqua: My first reaction was that it’s a solid screenplay about Michael Jackson. My second reaction was, “Who’s going to play Michael Jackson?” When I met with Graham, he introduced me to Jaafar, and the rest is history as far as that goes. But, yeah, it’s daunting when you read a Michael Jackson script by John Logan. It’s a great script and then we had to find Michael and Jaafar was no question the right choice.

    MF: Graham, to that point, I understand that you discovered Jaafar and recommended him to Antoine. At what point did you realize he was the right choice?

    Graham King: Over lunch. I had a lunch with Jaafar. I know the family well and I’ve known (his father) Jermaine since 1981. I met with Jaafar and during that lunch, I kept asking him if he was auditioning, because he was channeling Michael. It was very eerie and weird. He kept saying, “I don’t want to be an actor. I’ve got no interest in acting.” I kept saying, “Just be honest with me.” Because obviously I’ve produced a few movies, and you know what it is when you sit down with an actor who wants a job, and I kept thinking it’s reverse psychology. “No, I don’t want to act.” But he really didn’t. Two weeks after that lunch, I said, “If you’re up for it, let’s go through some training and bootcamp.” Kind of like what I put Rami Malek through to play Freddie Mercury, but at a much different level. In fact, the first time he spent a month with Rich + Tone, who were Michael’s choreographers, and they said, “We’re not sure. We’re not confident that he can get these dance moves down.” He called me that night and he said, “Give me some time and then come and see. I’ll show you what I’ve got.” I think it was about a month later, we both went to Hayvenhurst, to the house that he was staying in, which is Michael’s house in Encino. He just blew us away with his dance moves. I mean, he got it down. The only thing he asked for in that month was, he kept saying, “I want mirrors. Just get me long, tall mirrors and let me do my thing.” I mean, look at that performance now. It’s incredible.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    MF: Antoine, can you talk about the first time you did a screen test with Jaafar? Was that when you realized you found your Michael?

    AF: Yeah, it was. We did a screen test with Jaafar, and he came out as Michael. It was my first time seeing him in person as Michael, and I was kind of blown away just on his whole presence. That got me right away. Then we put him in front of the camera and started filming him doing different things. He would sing a little bit and dance a little bit. Then me and Graham were sitting there, and we asked Jaafar a question. I can’t remember what it was, but he answered it as if he was Michael and tears started flowing around the room. Our cinematographer was crying. I looked back, he had tears in his eyes. We were all trying to hide it, but he really answered in such an honest, pure way. He’s never acted in his life. I just thought, “This guy’s special.” That was the moment for me. It was just off the cuff. He didn’t know it was coming. I wanted to see if he was in the moment. Was he just here in makeup or was he in the moment? I threw something at him, and he just paused, and he thought about it, and he answered. It was just so beautiful, elegant, honest, and pure. I was like, “This Jaafar is special.”

    MF: Graham, why did you want to focus on this specific time in Michael’s life, and how do you think your experience producing ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ prepared you to make this movie?

    GK: I guess I’ve made a career out of taking these iconic artists or people like Muhammad Ali, Howard Hughes, and Freddie Mercury, obviously, and showing the world a side that they’ve never seen before and humanizing them, these iconic people. I think it’s such a challenge to find that three act structure to make it an entertaining film and not a documentary. You kind of have fun with it. I have fun with it. Of course, there is also the music side, having the rights to Queen’s catalog and now Michael’s catalog, and really digging into the songs we’re going to use and the time periods of the movie. I was at Dodger Stadium in 1984 at the ‘Victory Tour’ when Michael quit. It was the most amazing organic third act drama and conflict moment you could ask for. You couldn’t ask for it any better. A writer couldn’t write it any better than that. I remember talking to Michael’s brothers about it, “Did you know that he was going to do this?” They were like, “No, we had no idea, and we kind of thought he was playing at the time. We didn’t know he was serious.” So that was sitting with John Logan and Antoine and saying, “Let’s head for that moment and make that the pinnacle point of the storytelling and put Joe at the side of the stage,” because he’s going to tell Joe, and he does it in front of 50,000 people at Dodger Stadium.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Glen Wilson.

    MF: Antoine, can you talk about recreating iconic moments in Michael’s life like the making of the ‘Thriller’ video and his performance at the Motown 25th Anniversary show and was there any one moment that you wish you had more time to explore?

    AF: I mean, everything. Right? Because being a director, you never have enough time. But it’s the quiet moments you got to get just right. It’s really the quiet moments. The bigger moments we know, the performances, and we knew what we needed to do. It was the more quiet, intimate moments that you hope you capture the spirit of Michael in each moment. What’s interesting with Jaafar is that we would try different things to find the right tone, and the right frequency. Again, Jaafar’s never acted before, but he was so good that I would forget. We’d go to Jaafar, try something, and he would nail it. Then we would realize, “This guy has never acted before in his life, and we’re throwing these things at him.” He would come through with flying colors every single time. I don’t remember him missing too many beats at all. But making the bigger moments was magical. Because of the authenticity of the film, it lives in all the real places like Hayvenhurst, we had where he recorded ‘Off the Wall’, where he shot the ‘Thriller’ video, and the Pasadena Civic Auditorium where Motown 25 took place, all real places. You get chills whenever you go to those kinds of places and remember those moments. The idea that we had the opportunity to recreate it and do that was a little of an out of body experience at times. It’s a big responsibility to get it just right. So, Graham and I, we really would study what it was and look at what we’re doing and compare it. Because we knew Michael’s audience, they’re going to do that, every little move. So, it was daunting, but exciting and magical. When we shot the ‘Thriller’ video, we had a full moon every night, which was amazing. I’ve never seen a crew more excited about a scene. When I got dropped off on the set, the grips and everybody had on wolf masks, and they were dancing around to ‘Thriller’. It was like this big event. It was like a movie within itself. So, that to me was a special day.

    MF: Graham, is there any moment from Michael’s life during this period that you wanted to put in the film but just couldn’t because of time?

    GK: Certainly, the ‘Dancing Machine’ era, when Michael was, I think, 16 or 17, around that era. We thought about putting that in. But when you’re making a film, you’ve got to have a certain running time and you can’t tell every story you want to tell, so you’ve got to make sacrifices. That cut from young Michael at the county fair to Michael at the window with Quincy Jones, I think that time cut worked well for our story as opposed to stopping in different times like the ‘Dancing Machine’ era.

    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in 'Michael'. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    Jaafar Jackson as Michael Jackson in ‘Michael’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    MF: Finally, Antoine, can you talk about working with your costume designer Marci Rodgers to recreate all of Michael’s famous outfits for the film, and did you keep a sequenced glove for yourself as a memento?

    AF: I got the producer sitting here, I’m not going to tell. No, I didn’t keep anything. I wish I could. I mean, Marci did a great job, but we had a great crew and a great team. They really did their homework, and she did her homework. She would design these jackets, like when he’s holding the Grammys, and the jacket was about 15 pounds. It had all the jewels and everything. I thought, “Did it have to feel this heavy for Jaafar?” It was authentic though. Those were the real Grammys. Those were Michael’s Grammys he’s holding. I mean, the whole crew, they really cared so much about getting it right, every little detail.

    'Michael' opens in theaters on April 24th.
    ‘Michael’ opens in theaters on April 24th.

    What is the plot of ‘Michael’?

    Discover the story of Michael Jackson (Jaafar Jackson), one of the most influential artists the world has ever known, and his life beyond the music, tracing his journey from the discovery of his extraordinary talent as the lead of the Jackson Five, to the visionary artist whose creative ambition fueled a relentless pursuit to become the biggest entertainer in the world, highlighting both his life off-stage and some of the most iconic performances from his early solo career.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Michael’?

    'Michael' opens in theaters on April 24th.
    ‘Michael’ opens in theaters on April 24th.

    List of Musician Biopics:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Michael’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Michael Jackson Music on Amazon

     

  • Best Denzel Washington Movies

    Denzel Washington in 'Highest 2 Lowest'. Photo Credit: David Lee.
    Denzel Washington in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. Photo Credit: David Lee.

    Denzel Washington is the most beloved and respected actor of his generation.

    Practically beginning his career by winning an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in ‘Glory,’ Washington would go on to make such movies as ‘Malcolm X,’ ‘Philadelphia,’ ‘Crimson Tide,’ ‘Devil in a Blue Dress,’ ‘The Hurricane‘ and ‘Remember the Titans‘ before winning an Academy Award for Best Actor for playing Alonzo Harris in ‘Training Day.’

    Since then, the Oscar-winning actor has appeared in such films as ‘Man on Fire,’ ‘Inside Man,’ ‘American Gangster,’ ‘Unstoppable,’ ‘Safe House,’ ‘The Magnificent Seven‘ and ‘The Equalizer‘ franchise.

    His new film, ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘, which reunites him with longtime collaborator director Spike Lee, opens in theaters on August 15th before being available to stream on Apple TV+ on September 5th.

    In honor of ‘Highest 2 Lowest’s release, Moviefone is counting down the 45 best movies of Denzel Washington’s incredibly impressive acting career, including his latest.

    Let’s begin!

    45. ‘The Little Things‘ (2021)

    Denzel Washington as Joe "Deke" Deacon in 'The Little Things' from Warner Bros. Pictures.
    Denzel Washington as Joe “Deke” Deacon in ‘The Little Things’ from Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon (Washington) joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter (Rami Malek) to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.

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    44. ‘Antwone Fisher‘ (2002)

    A sailor (Derek Luke) prone to violent outbursts is sent to a naval psychiatrist for help. Refusing at first to open up, the young man eventually breaks down and reveals a horrific childhood. Through the guidance of his doctor (Washington), he confronts his painful past and begins a quest to find the family he never knew.

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    43. ‘2 Guns‘ (2013)

    A DEA agent (Washington) and an undercover Naval Intelligence officer (Mark Wahlberg) who have been tasked with investigating one another find they have been set up by the mob — the very organization the two men believe they have been stealing money from.

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    42. ‘The Siege‘ (1998)

    The secret US abduction of a suspected terrorist from his Middle East homeland leads to a wave of terrorist attacks in New York. An FBI senior agent (Washington) and his team attempt to locate and decommission the enemy cells, but must also deal with an Army General (Bruce Willis) gone rogue and a female CIA agent (Annette Bening) of uncertain loyalties.

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    41. ‘Déjà Vu‘ (2006)

    Called in to recover evidence in the aftermath of a horrific explosion on a New Orleans ferry, Federal agent Doug Carlin (Washington) gets pulled away from the scene and taken to a top-secret government lab that uses a time-shifting surveillance device to help prevent crime.

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    40. ‘Out of Time‘ (2003)

    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes in 'Out of Time'. Photo: MGM.
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Eva Mendes in ‘Out of Time’. Photo: MGM.

    Matt Lee Whitlock (Washington), respected chief of police in small Banyan Key, Florida, must solve a vicious double homicide before he himself falls under suspicion. Matt Lee has to stay a few steps ahead of his own police force and everyone he’s trusted in order to find out the truth.

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    39. ‘Much Ado About Nothing‘ (1993)

    In this Shakespearean farce, Hero (Kate Beckinsale) and her groom-to-be, Claudio (Robert Sean Leonard), team up with Claudio’s commanding officer, Don Pedro (Washington), the week before their wedding to hatch a matchmaking scheme. Their targets are sharp-witted duo Benedick (Kenneth Branagh) and Beatrice (Emma Thompson) — a tough task indeed, considering their corresponding distaste for love and each other. Meanwhile, meddling Don John (Keanu Reeves) plots to ruin the wedding.

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    38. ‘Fallen‘ (1998)

    Homicide detective John Hobbes (Washington) witnesses the execution of serial killer Edgar Reese (Elias Koteas). Soon after the execution the killings start again, and they are very similar to Reese’s style.

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    37. ‘Mississippi Masala‘ (1991)

    An Indian family is expelled from Uganda when Idi Amin takes power. They move to Mississippi and time passes. The Indian daughter (Sarita Choudhury) falls in love with a black man (Washington), and the respective families have to come to terms with it.

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    36. ‘Virtuosity‘ (1995)

    The Law Enforcement Technology Advancement Centre (LETAC) has developed SID version 6.7 (Russell Crowe): a Sadistic, Intelligent, and Dangerous virtual reality entity which is synthesized from the personalities of more than 150 serial killers, and only one man can stop him.

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    35. ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq.‘ (2017)

    Denzel Washington in 'Roman J. Israel, Esq'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    Denzel Washington in ‘Roman J. Israel, Esq’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    Hard-nosed liberal lawyer Roman J. Israel (Washington) has been fighting the good fight forever while others take the credit. When his partner – the firm’s frontman – has a heart attack, Israel suddenly takes on that role. He soon discovers some unsettling truths about the firm – truths that conflict with his values of helping the poor and dispossessed – and finds himself in an existential crisis that leads to extreme actions.

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    34. ‘A Soldier’s Story‘ (1984)

    In a rural town in Louisiana, a black Master Sergeant is found shot to death just outside the local Army Base. Military lawyer, Captain Davenport (Howard E. Rollins Jr.)—also a black man—is sent from Washington to conduct an investigation. Facing an uncooperative chain of command and fearful black troops, Davenport must battle with deceit and prejudice in order to find out exactly who really did kill the Master Sergeant.

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    33. ‘Courage Under Fire‘ (1996)

    A US Army officer (Washington), who made a “friendly fire” mistake that was covered up, has been reassigned to a desk job. He is tasked to investigate a female chopper commander’s (Meg Ryan) worthiness to be awarded the Medal of Honor. At first all seems in order. But then he begins to notice inconsistencies between the testimonies of the witnesses…

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    32. ‘Mo’ Better Blues‘ (1990)

    Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gillian (Washington) is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends Indigo (Joie Lee) and Clarke (Cynda Williams). But when he is forced to come to the aid of his manager and childhood friend (Spike Lee), Bleek finds his world more fragile that he ever imagined.

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    31. ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth‘ (2021)

    From Academy Award-winning filmmaker Joel Coen comes the propulsive, boldly cinematic ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth,’ starring Oscar-winners Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand as the devious, ill-fated Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. An original, striking reimagining of the classic Shakespearean tale portrayed in sumptuous black-and-white cinematography, ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ finds the titular general and his loyal wife older and warier, desperately striving against a merciless ticking clock as they attempt to seize upon a final opportunity for power. In the chaos that ensues, their grasp on the throne unravels, terror mounts and regret enshrouds every inch of their wretched world. Co-starring Kathryn Hunter, Corey Hawkins, Moses Ingram, Brendan Gleeson, Harry Melling and Bertie Carvel.

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    30. ‘John Q‘ (2002)

    Denzel Washington in 'John Q'. Photo: New Line Cinema.
    Denzel Washington in ‘John Q’. Photo: New Line Cinema.

    John Quincy Archibald (Washington) is a father and husband whose son is diagnosed with an enlarged heart and then finds out he cannot receive a transplant because HMO insurance will not cover it. Therefore, he decides to take a hospital full of patients hostage until the hospital puts his son’s name on the donor’s list.

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    29. ‘He Got Game‘ (1998)

    A basketball player’s  father (Washington) must try to convince him (Ray Allen) to go to a college so he can get a shorter prison sentence.

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    28. ‘The Book of Eli‘ (2010)

    A post-apocalyptic tale, in which a lone man (Washington) fights his way across America in order to protect a sacred book that holds the secrets to saving humankind.

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    27. ‘Ricochet‘ (1991)

    An attorney (Washington) is terrorized by the criminal (John Lithgow) he put away years ago when he was a cop.

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    26. ‘Flight‘ (2012)

    Commercial airline pilot Whip Whitaker (Washington) has a problem with drugs and alcohol, though so far he’s managed to complete his flights safely. His luck runs out when a disastrous mechanical malfunction sends his plane hurtling toward the ground. Whip pulls off a miraculous crash-landing that results in only six lives lost. Shaken to the core, Whip vows to get sober — but when the crash investigation exposes his addiction, he finds himself in an even worse situation.

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    25. ‘The Bone Collector‘ (1999)

    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie in 'The Bone Collector'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Angelina Jolie in ‘The Bone Collector’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Rookie cop, Amelia Donaghy (Angelina Jolie) reluctantly teams with Lincoln Rhyme (Washington) – formerly the department’s top homicide detective but now paralyzed as a result of a spinal injury – to catch a grisly serial killer dubbed ‘The Bone Collector’. The murderer’s special signature is to leave tantalizing clues based on the grim remains of his crimes.

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    24. ‘Cry Freedom‘ (1987)

    A dramatic story, based on actual events, about the friendship between two men struggling against apartheid in South Africa in the 1970s. Donald Woods (Kevin Kline) is a white liberal journalist in South Africa who begins to follow the activities of Stephen Biko (Washington), a courageous and outspoken black anti-apartheid activist.

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    23. ‘Gladiator II‘ (2024)

    Years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the hands of his uncle (Joaquin Phoenix), Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.

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    22. ‘Philadelphia‘ (1993)

    Two competing lawyers (Tom Hanks and Washington) join forces to sue a prestigious law firm for AIDS discrimination. As their unlikely friendship develops their courage overcomes the prejudice and corruption of their powerful adversaries.

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    21. ‘The Equalizer‘ (2014)

    Robert McCall (Washington) believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Chloe Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

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    20. ‘The Magnificent Seven‘ (2016)

    2016's 'The Magnificent Seven'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    2016’s ‘The Magnificent Seven’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    Looking to mine for gold, greedy industrialist Bartholomew Bogue (Peter Sarsgaard) seizes control of the Old West town of Rose Creek. With their lives in jeopardy, Emma Cullen (Haley Bennett) and other desperate residents turn to bounty hunter Sam Chisolm (Washington) for help. Chisolm recruits an eclectic group of gunslingers to take on Bogue and his ruthless henchmen. With a deadly showdown on the horizon, the seven mercenaries soon find themselves fighting for more than just money once the bullets start to fly.

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    19. ‘Unstoppable‘ (2010)

    A runaway train, transporting deadly, toxic chemicals, is barreling down on Stanton, Pennsylvania, and proves to be unstoppable until a veteran engineer (Washington) and young conductor (Chris Pine) risk their lives to try and stop it with a switch engine.

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    18. ‘The Pelican Brief‘ (1993)

    Two Supreme Court Justices have been assassinated. One lone law student (Julia Roberts) has stumbled upon the truth. An investigative journalist (Washington) wants her story. Everybody else wants her dead.

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    17. ‘Crimson Tide‘ (1995)

    After the Cold War, a breakaway Russian republic with nuclear warheads becomes a possible worldwide threat. U.S. submarine Capt. Frank Ramsey (Gene Hackman) signs on a relatively green but highly recommended Lt. Cmdr. Ron Hunter (Washington) to the USS Alabama, which may be the only ship able to stop a possible Armageddon. When Ramsay insists that the Alabama must act aggressively, Hunter, fearing they will start rather than stop a disaster, leads a potential mutiny to stop him.

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    16. ‘Fences‘ (2016)

    In 1950s Pittsburgh, a frustrated African-American father (Washington) struggles with the constraints of poverty, racism, and his own inner demons as he tries to raise a family.

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    15. ‘The Equalizer 3‘ (2023)

    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.' Photo by: Stefano Montesi.
    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.

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    14. ‘The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3‘ (2009)

    Armed men hijack a New York City subway train, holding the passengers hostage in return for a ransom, and turning an ordinary day’s work for dispatcher Walter Garber (Washington) into a face-off with the mastermind behind the crime.

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    13. ‘Safe House‘ (2012)

    A dangerous CIA renegade (Washington) resurfaces after a decade on the run. When the safe house he’s remanded to is attacked by mercenaries, a rookie operative (Ryan Reynolds) escapes with him. Now, the unlikely allies must stay alive long enough to uncover who wants them dead.

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    12. ‘Glory‘ (1989)

    Robert Gould Shaw (Matthew Broderick) leads the US Civil War’s first all-black volunteer company, fighting prejudices of both his own Union army and the Confederates.

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    11. ‘Remember the Titans‘ (2000)

    After leading his football team to 15 winning seasons, coach Bill Yoast (Will Patton) is demoted and replaced by Herman Boone (Washington) – who is tough, opinionated and as different from the beloved Yoast as he could be. The two men learn to overcome their differences and turn a group of hostile young men into champions.

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    10. ‘Highest 2 Lowest‘ (2025)

    Denzel Washington in 'Highest 2 Lowest'. Photo Credit: David Lee.
    Denzel Washington in ‘Highest 2 Lowest’. Photo Credit: David Lee.

    When a titan music mogul (Washington), widely known as having the “best ears in the business”, is targeted with a ransom plot, he is jammed up in a life-or-death moral dilemma.

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    9. ‘The Hurricane‘ (1999)

    The story of Rubin “Hurricane” Carter (Washington), a boxer wrongly imprisoned for murder, and the people who aided in his fight to prove his innocence.

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    8. ‘Devil in a Blue Dress‘ (1995)

    In late 1940s Los Angeles, Easy Rawlins (Washington) is an unemployed black World War II veteran with few job prospects. At a bar, Easy meets DeWitt Albright (Tom Sizemore), a mysterious white man looking for someone to investigate the disappearance of a missing white woman named Daphne Monet (Jennifer Beals), who he suspects is hiding out in one of the city’s black jazz clubs. Strapped for money and facing house payments, Easy takes the job, but soon finds himself in over his head.

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    7. ‘American Gangster‘ (2007)

    Following the death of his employer and mentor, Bumpy Johnson (Clarence Williams III), Frank Lucas (Washington) establishes himself as the number one importer of heroin in the Harlem district of Manhattan. He does so by buying heroin directly from the source in South East Asia and he comes up with a unique way of importing the drugs into the United States. Partly based on a true story.

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    6. ‘The Equalizer 2‘ (2018)

    Robert McCall (Washington), who serves an unflinching justice for the exploited and oppressed, embarks on a relentless, globe-trotting quest for vengeance when a long-time friend (Melissa Leo) is murdered.

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    5. ‘Man on Fire‘ (2004)

    Denzel Washington in 'Man on Fire'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    Denzel Washington in ‘Man on Fire’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Jaded ex-CIA operative John Creasy (Washington) reluctantly accepts a job as the bodyguard for a 10-year-old girl (Dakota Fanning) in Mexico City. They clash at first, but eventually bond, and when she’s kidnapped he’s consumed by fury and will stop at nothing to save her life.

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    4. ‘Inside Man‘ (2006)

    When an armed, masked gang (led by Clive Owen) enter a Manhattan bank, lock the doors and take hostages, the detective (Washington) assigned to effect their release enters negotiations preoccupied with corruption charges he is facing.

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    3. ‘Malcolm X‘ (1992)

    A tribute to the controversial black activist and leader (played by Washington) of the struggle for black liberation. He hit bottom during his imprisonment in the ’50s, he became a Black Muslim and then a leader in the Nation of Islam. His assassination in 1965 left a legacy of self-determination and racial pride.

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    2. ‘The Mighty Quinn‘ (1989)

    Police chief Xavier Quinn (Washington) investigates the gruesome murder of Donald Pater, one of the wealthiest residents on a Caribbean island. He was found decapitated in his Jacuzzi. Although the local political establishment, especially crooked Governor Chalk (Norman Beaton), insists that small-time thief Maubee (Robert Townsend) is responsible, Xavier has his doubts. This view is complicated by the police chief’s personal history with Maubee: The men have been friends since childhood.

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    1. ‘Training Day‘ (2001)

    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke in 'Training Day'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke in ‘Training Day’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    On his first day on the job as a narcotics officer, a rookie cop (Ethan Hawke) works with a rogue detective (Washington) who isn’t what he appears.

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  • Best Movies Based on TV Shows

    Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in 'The Fall Guy,' directed by David Leitch.
    Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch.

    Question: What does ‘The Fall Guy‘ have in common with movies like ‘Mission: Impossible,’ ‘The A-Team,’ ‘The Equalizer‘ and ‘Sex in the City‘?

    Answer: They are all movies based on popular TV programs!

    Whether it’s a continuation of the original series like ‘The X-Files‘ or ‘The Simpsons Movie,’ or a remake of the show such as ‘The Fugitive‘ or ‘Miami Vice,’ Hollywood has long enjoyed success from adapting popular television programs into feature films.

    In honor of ‘The Fall Guy,’ which is currently available to stream now at home, Moviefone is counting down the 30 best movies based on TV programs of all time.

    NOTE: For this list we are including both movies that are remakes of TV shows featuring a new cast, as well as films that continue the story of the series with the original cast.

    Let’s begin!

    30. ‘The Addams Family‘ (1991)

    (L to R) Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia in 'The Addams Family'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Anjelica Huston and Raul Julia in ‘The Addams Family’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    When a man claiming to be long-lost Uncle Fester (Christopher Lloyd) reappears after 25 years lost, the family plans a celebration to wake the dead. But the kids barely have time to warm up the electric chair before Morticia (Anjelica Huston) begins to suspect Fester is fraud when he can’t recall any of the details of Fester’s life.

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    29. ‘Get Smart‘ (2008)

    (L to R) Anne Hathaway as Agent 99 and Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart in 'Get Smart.' Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L to R) Anne Hathaway as Agent 99 and Steve Carell as Maxwell Smart in ‘Get Smart.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    When the identities of secret agents from Control are compromised, the Chief (Alan Arkin) promotes hapless but eager analyst Maxwell Smart (Steve Carrell) and teams him with stylish, capable Agent 99 (Anne Hathaway), the only spy whose cover remains intact. Can they work together to thwart the evil plans of KAOS and its crafty operative?

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    28. ‘Lost in Space‘ (1998)

    (L to R) Mimi Rogers, Lacey Chabert, William Hurt and Heather Graham in 1998's 'Lost in Space'.
    (L to R) Mimi Rogers, Lacey Chabert, William Hurt and Heather Graham in 1998’s ‘Lost in Space’.

    The prospects for continuing life on Earth in the year 2058 are grim. So the Robinsons (William Hurt, Mimi Rogers, Heather Graham, Lacey Chabert and Jack Johnson) are launched into space to colonize Alpha Prime, the only other inhabitable planet in the galaxy. But when a stowaway (Gary Oldman) sabotages the mission, the Robinsons find themselves hurtling through uncharted space.

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    27. ‘21 Jump Street‘ (2012)

    (L to R) Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in '21 Jump Street'. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
    (L to R) Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in ’21 Jump Street’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.

    In high school, Schmidt (Jonah Hill) was a dork and Jenko (Channing Tatum) was the popular jock. After graduation, both of them joined the police force and ended up as partners riding bicycles in the city park. Since they are young and look like high school students, they are assigned to an undercover unit to infiltrate a drug ring that is supplying high school students synthetic drugs.

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    26. ‘The Brady Bunch Movie‘ (1995)

    1995's 'The Brady Bunch Movie'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    1995’s ‘The Brady Bunch Movie’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    The original ’70s TV family is now placed in the 1990s, where they’re even more square and out of place than ever.

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    25. ‘Star Trek: First Contact‘ (1996)

    (L to R) Alice Krige as the Borg Queen and Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard in 'Star Trek: First Contact.' Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) Alice Krige as the Borg Queen and Patrick Stewart as Jean-Luc Picard in ‘Star Trek: First Contact.’ Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures.

    The Borg, a relentless race of cyborgs, are on a direct course for Earth. Violating orders to stay away from the battle, Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and the crew of the newly-commissioned USS Enterprise E pursue the Borg back in time to prevent the invaders from changing Federation history and assimilating the galaxy.

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    24. ‘Charlie’s Angels‘ (2000)

    (L to R) Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore in 2000's 'Charlie's Angels'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    (L to R) Lucy Liu, Cameron Diaz and Drew Barrymore in 2000’s ‘Charlie’s Angels’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    Three women (Cameron Diaz, Drew Barrymore and Lucy Liu), detectives with a mysterious boss, retrieve stolen voice-ID software, using martial arts, tech skills, and sex appeal.

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    23. ‘Dragnet‘ (1987)

    (L to R) Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks in 1987's 'Dragnet'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Dan Aykroyd and Tom Hanks in 1987’s ‘Dragnet’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    LAPD Sgt. Joe Friday (Dan Aykroyd) — the equally straight-laced nephew of the famous police sergeant of the same name (Jack Webb) — is paired up with a young, freewheeling detective named Pep Streebeck (Tom Hanks). After investigating some strange robberies at the local zoo and the theft of a stockpile of pornographic magazines, they uncover cult activity in the heart of the city and are hot on the case to figure out who’s behind it all.

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    22. ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me‘ (1992)

    (L to R) Harry Dean Stanton and Kyle MacLachlan in 1992's 'Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me'. Photo: New Line Cinema.
    (L to R) Harry Dean Stanton and Kyle MacLachlan in 1992’s ‘Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me’. Photo: New Line Cinema.

    In the questionable town of Deer Meadow, Washington, FBI Agent Desmond (Chris Isaak) inexplicably disappears while hunting for the man who murdered a teen girl. The killer is never apprehended, and, after experiencing dark visions and supernatural encounters, Agent Dale Cooper (Kyle MacLachlan) chillingly predicts that the culprit will claim another life. Meanwhile, in the more cozy town of Twin Peaks, hedonistic beauty Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee) hangs with lowlifes and seems destined for a grisly fate.

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    21. ‘Sex and the City‘ (2008)

    (L to R) Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker in 'Sex and the City'. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
    (L to R) Kristin Davis, Cynthia Nixon, Kim Cattrall and Sarah Jessica Parker in ‘Sex and the City’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
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    A New York writer (Sarah Jessica Parker) on sex and love is finally getting married to her Mr. Big (Chris Noth). But her three (Kim Cattrall, Kristin Davis and Cynthia Nixon) best girlfriends must console her after one of them inadvertently leads Mr. Big to jilt her.

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    20. ‘The Man from U.N.C.L.E.‘ (2015)

    (L to R) Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer in film 'The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,' directed by Guy Ritchie.
    (L to R) Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer in film ‘The Man From U.N.C.L.E.,’ directed by Guy Ritchie.

    At the height of the Cold War, a mysterious criminal organization plans to use nuclear weapons and technology to upset the fragile balance of power between the United States and Soviet Union. CIA agent Napoleon Solo (Henry Cavill) and KGB agent Illya Kuryakin (Arie Hammer) are forced to put aside their hostilities and work together to stop the evildoers in their tracks. The duo’s only lead is the daughter (Alicia Vikander) of a missing German scientist, whom they must find soon to prevent a global catastrophe.

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    19. ‘South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut‘ (1999)

    1999's 'South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    1999’s ‘South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    When the four boys see an R-rated movie featuring Canadians Terrance and Philip, they are pronounced “corrupted”, and their parents pressure the United States to wage war against Canada.

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    18. ‘Jackass: The Movie‘ (2002)

    2002's 'Jackass: The Movie'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    2002’s ‘Jackass: The Movie’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Johnny Knoxville and his band of maniacs perform a variety of stunts and gross-out gags on the big screen for the first time. They wander around Japan in panda outfits, wreak havoc on a once civilized golf course, they even do stunts involving LIVE alligators, and so on.

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    17. ‘Veronica Mars‘ (2014)

    Kristen Bell in 2014's 'Veronica Mars'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Kristen Bell in 2014’s ‘Veronica Mars’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Years after walking away from her past as a teenage private eye, Veronica Mars (Kristen Bell) gets pulled back to her hometown – just in time for her high school reunion – in order to help her old flame Logan Echolls (Jason Dohring), who’s embroiled in a murder mystery.

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    16. ‘Maverick‘ (1994)

    (L to R) Mel Gibson, James Garner and Jodie Foster in 'Maverick'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Mel Gibson, James Garner and Jodie Foster in ‘Maverick’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Maverick (Mel Gibson) is a gambler who would rather con someone than fight them, and needs an additional three thousand dollars in order to enter a winner-takes-all poker game that begins in a few days, so he joins forces with a woman gambler (Jodie Foster) with a marvellous southern accent, and the two try and enter the game.

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    15. ‘Wayne’s World‘ (1992)

    (L to R) Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in 'Wayne's World.' ©2021 Paramount Pictures. All Right Reserved.
    (L to R) Mike Myers and Dana Carvey in ‘Wayne’s World.’ ©2021 Paramount Pictures. All Right Reserved.

    The adventures of two amiably aimless metal-head friends, Wayne (Mike Myers) and Garth (Dana Carvey). From Wayne’s basement, the pair broadcast a talk-show called “Wayne’s World” on local public access television. The show comes to the attention of a sleazy network executive (Rob Lowe) who wants to produce a big-budget version of “Wayne’s World”—and he also wants Wayne’s girlfriend, a rock singer named Cassandra (Tia Carrere). Wayne and Garth have to battle the executive not only to save their show, but also Cassandra.

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    14. ‘State of Play‘ (2009)

    (L to R) Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in 'State of Play'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Russell Crowe and Ben Affleck in ‘State of Play’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    When a congressional aide is killed, a Washington, D.C. journalist (Russell Crowe) starts investigating the case involving the Representative (Ben Affleck), his old college friend.

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    13. ‘The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!‘ (1988)

    Leslie Nielsen in 'The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!' Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    Leslie Nielsen in ‘The Naked Gun: From the Files of Police Squad!’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    When the incompetent Lieutenant Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) seeks the ruthless killer of his partner, he stumbles upon an attempt to assassinate Queen Elizabeth II (Jeannette Charles).

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    12. ‘Miami Vice‘ (2006)

    (L to R) Colin Farrell as Detective James 'Sonny' Crockett and Jamie Foxx as Detective Ricardo 'Rico' Tubbs in 'Miami Vice.' Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Colin Farrell as Detective James ‘Sonny’ Crockett and Jamie Foxx as Detective Ricardo ‘Rico’ Tubbs in ‘Miami Vice.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.

    A case involving drug lords and murder in South Florida takes a personal turn for undercover detectives Sonny Crockett (Colin Farrell) and Ricardo Tubbs (Jamie Foxx). Unorthodox Crockett gets involved romantically with the Chinese-Cuban wife (Gong Li) of a trafficker of arms and drugs, while Tubbs deals with an assault on those he loves.

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    11. ‘The X Files‘ (1998)

    (L to R) David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in 1998's 'The X-Files'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) David Duchovny and Gillian Anderson in 1998’s ‘The X-Files’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    Mulder (David Duchovny) and Scully (Gillian Anderson), now taken off the FBI’s X Files cases, must find a way to fight the shadowy elements of the government to find out the truth about a conspiracy that might mean the alien colonization of Earth.

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    10. ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun‘ (2023)

    Idris Elba as John Luther in 'Luther: The Fallen Sun.' Photo: John Wilson/Netflix © 2023.
    Idris Elba as John Luther in ‘Luther: The Fallen Sun.’ Photo: John Wilson/Netflix © 2023.

    A gruesome serial killer (Andy Serkis) is terrorizing London while brilliant but disgraced detective John Luther (Idris Elba) sits behind bars. Haunted by his failure to capture the cyber psychopath who now taunts him, Luther decides to break out of prison to finish the job by any means necessary.

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    9. ‘The Fall Guy‘ (2024)

    Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in 'The Fall Guy,' directed by David Leitch. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.
    Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch. © Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved.

    He’s a stuntman (Ryan Gosling), and like everyone in the stunt community, he gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows and dropped from the highest of heights, all for our entertainment. And now, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, this working-class hero has to track down a missing movie star (Aaron Taylor-Johnson), solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love (Emily Blunt) of his life while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right?

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    8. ‘The Simpsons Movie‘ (2007)

    2007's 'The Simpsons Movie'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    2007’s ‘The Simpsons Movie’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    After Homer (Dan Castellaneta) accidentally pollutes the town’s water supply, Springfield is encased in a gigantic dome by the EPA and the Simpsons are declared fugitives.

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    7. ‘The A-Team‘ (2010)

    (L to R) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson and Bradley Cooper in 'The A-Team'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    (L to R) Liam Neeson, Sharlto Copley, Quinton Jackson and Bradley Cooper in ‘The A-Team’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    A group of Iraq War veterans goes on the run from U.S. military forces while they try to clear their names after being framed for a crime they didn’t commit. Along the way, Col. Hannibal Smith (Liam Neeson), Capt. H.M. ‘Howling Mad’ Murdock (Sharlto Copley), Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus (Quinton Jackson), and Lt. Templeton ‘Faceman’ Peck (Bradley Cooper) help out various people they encounter.

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    6. ‘The Sweeney‘ (2013)

    (L to R) Ray Winstone, Hayley Atwell and Plan B in 2012's 'The Sweeney'. Photo: Entertainment One.
    (L to R) Ray Winstone, Hayley Atwell and Plan B in 2012’s ‘The Sweeney’. Photo: Entertainment One.

    Jack Regan (Ray Winstone), a hardened cop who doesn’t play by the rules, is confronted with a criminal from his past. With sidekick George Carter (Ben Drew) they are put on the case of a jewellery store heist that ends in a killing. But is that killing really an execution in disguise? With pressure from his boss (Steven Mackintosh) and the fact that Regan is having an affair with that boss’s wife (Hayley Atwell), it’s not going to be easy for him to stay out of trouble.

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    5. ‘The Equalizer‘ (2014)

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer.' Photo: Sony Pictures.
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.

    Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) believes he has put his mysterious past behind him and dedicated himself to beginning a new, quiet life. But when he meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young girl under the control of ultra-violent Russian gangsters, he can’t stand idly by – he has to help her. Armed with hidden skills that allow him to serve vengeance against anyone who would brutalize the helpless, McCall comes out of his self-imposed retirement and finds his desire for justice reawakened. If someone has a problem, if the odds are stacked against them, if they have nowhere else to turn, McCall will help. He is The Equalizer.

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    4. ‘The Muppet Movie‘ (1979)

    1979's 'The Muppet Movie'. Photo: Disney.
    1979’s ‘The Muppet Movie’. Photo: Disney.

    A Hollywood agent persuades Kermit the Frog (Jim Henson) to pursue a career in Hollywood. On his way there he meets his future muppet crew while being chased by the desperate owner of a frog-leg restaurant!

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    3. ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan‘ (1982)

    (L to R) William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in 'Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    (L to R) William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy in ‘Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    It is the 23rd century. The Federation Starship U.S.S. Enterprise is on routine training maneuvers and Admiral James T. Kirk (William Shatner) seems resigned to the fact that this inspection may well be the last space mission of his career. But Khan (Ricardo Montalban) is back. Aided by his exiled band of genetic supermen, Khan – brilliant renegade of 20th century Earth – has raided Space Station Regula One, stolen a top secret device called Project Genesis, wrested control of another Federation Starship and sets out in pursuit of the Enterprise, determined to let nothing stand in the way of his mission: kill Admiral Kirk… even if it means universal Armageddon.

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    2. ‘The Fugitive‘ (1993)

    Harrison Ford in 'The Fugitive'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    Harrison Ford in ‘The Fugitive’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Wrongfully convicted of murdering his wife and sentenced to death, Richard Kimble (Harrison Ford) escapes from the law in an attempt to find the real killer and clear his name.

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    1. ‘Mission: Impossible‘ (1996)

    Tom Cruise in 'Mission: Impossible'.
    Tom Cruise in ‘Mission: Impossible’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    When Ethan Hunt (Tom Cruise), the leader of a crack espionage team whose perilous operation has gone awry with no explanation, discovers that a mole has penetrated the CIA, he’s surprised to learn that he’s the No. 1 suspect. To clear his name, Hunt now must ferret out the real double agent and, in the process, even the score.

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  • Denzel Washington Says Two More ‘Equalizer’ Movies Are in the Works

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 2'. Photo: Sony Pictures.
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 2’. Photo: Sony Pictures.

    Preview:

    • Denzel Washington says he’ll appear in two more ‘Equalizer’ movies.
    • Director Antoine Fuqua has yet to be confirmed.
    • The apparent movies don’t yet have release dates.

    Denzel Washington is busy enjoying the acclaim that his scene-stealing (and, at times, movie-stealing) performance in ‘Gladiator II’ is generating, and he’s also been out and about promoting the movie.

    He’s certainly generating headlines with some of his statements, including revealing that Ryan Coogler is writing a role for him in a future ‘Black Panther’ movie (albeit one we don’t even know formally exists yet).

    And he’s not done –– in a recent interview he also dropped word that he’ll be back for more ‘Equalizer’ movies.

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    Of course, we have to caution here that Washington is having a lot of fun on the press tour and proclaiming that he only has a few movies left (at least as an actor) before he retires. And Sony has yet to say anything official about a potential return to the ‘Equalizer’ films.

    Related Article: Denzel Washington Drops More Hints He May be Looking to Retire from Acting

    What’s the story of the ‘Equalizer’ movies?

    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.' Photo by: Stefano Montesi.
    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    The three films (all directed by Antoine Fuqua and written by Richard Wenk), adapt the 1980s TV series.

    Washington stars as Robert McCall, a former special service commando who faked his own death in hopes of living out a quiet life.

    Instead, he comes out of his self-imposed retirement to save a young girl and finds his desire for justice reawakened after coming face-to-face with members of a brutal Russian gang. McCall becomes the go-to man when the helpless require the kind of vengeance they would never find without his skills.

    Across the next two movies, he faces off against more threats, including the Mafia.

    Denzel Washington on the future of the ‘Equalizer’ franchise

    Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) watches Vincent crawl down his stairs in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.' Photo: Stefano Montesi.
    Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) watches Vincent crawl down his stairs in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    Here’s what Washington told Esquire about more from the ‘Equalizer’ movies:

    “I told them I would do another ‘Equalizer,’ and we’re doing four and five. 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!”

    The movies have certainly been successful, but now we’ll wait and see what Fuqua and the studio have to say.

    When would the next ‘Equalizer’ be in theaters?

    While Washington is certainly someone who should know about the future of the ‘Equalizer’ franchise since he’s, you know, the Equalizer himself, the lack of confirmation means we couldn’t even guess at when one potential new movie would arrive, let alone two.

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.' Photo: Stefano Montesi.
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    Movies and TV Shows in ‘The Equalizer’ Franchise:

    Buy Denzel Washington Movies On Amazon

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  • Denzel Washington to Star as Hannibal in Period Epic

    Director Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Director Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    Preview:

    • Denzel Washington is attached to star in a new film about Hannibal.
    • It’ll see him re-team with ‘Equalizer’ director Antoine Fuqua.
    • Netflix is behind the new movie.

    With the SAG-AFTRA strike now over (at least pending a vote of the membership), various companies are looking to attach actors to new projects and start generating some buzz around them.

    One example is Netflix, which has a new historical epic in the works about Carthaginian general Hannibal, and the streaming service has Denzel Washington in line to star.

    Per Deadline, the new movie would mark a reunion for the actor with director Antoine Fuqua, the two used to collaborating on various projects.

    What Would the New Hannibal Movie Cover?

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    For those who don’t know the history, Hannibal came over the Alps and attacked Rome from the North, at the time posing the greatest threat to the republic. He was a skilled military tactician who led the troops in what is now Tunisia, not far from Sicily.

    His victories during the Second Punic War are legend, and this version of the film will follow the pivotal battles Hannibal led against the Roman Republic during the Second Punic War.

    Related Article: Director Antoine Fuqua Talks ‘The Equalizer 3’ and Working with Denzel

    Hannibal: A History in Development

    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    This is actually not the first time that Washington has been linked to a Hannibal project. Back in 2002, inspired by the success of ‘Gladiator’, 20th Century Fox (as it was then named) developed a Hannibal film and looked to attach Washington to play the famous leader.

    At the time, Washington passed on the idea, since it would’ve meant too much time away from his family. But now, with his kids (including actor John David Washington), well established in life, he’s free to spend his time riding elephants and battling Romans.

    He may still have competition though –– Vin Diesel has long been obsessed with Hannibal and has wanted to develop a movie about him to star in for almost as long.

    Netflix’s version has John Logan –– who wrote ‘Gladiator’ –– aboard to craft the script, so it’s clear the company is looking to go all in on this one. And talking of that Ridley Scott-directed historical epic, Washington is heading back to work on the sequel, which Scott was busy making before the strike hit. ‘Gladiator 2’, depending on how quickly it can be finished, may still arrive in 2024.

    What Have Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua Worked on Together?

    Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    If it all comes to pass, the Hannibal film will mark the sixth time that Washington and Fuqua have collaborated.

    They previously teamed for 2001’s ‘Training Day’, for which Washington won a Lead Actor Oscar. That was followed by the first ‘Equalizer’ movie in 2014 and then 2016’s Western remake ‘The Magnificent Seven’.

    More recently, they brought us ‘The Equalizer 2’ (2018) and this year’s ‘The Equalizer 3’.

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    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Equalizer 3:’

    Buy Denzel Washington Movies On Amazon

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  • Where To Watch Antoine Fuqua’s ‘The Equalizer 3’

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    ‘The Equalizer‘ started out as a 1980s TV series by Michael Sload and Richard Lindhelm. Later, director Antoine Fuqua would adapt the series into a movie, with Denzel Washington starring as Robert McCall.

    The last time we saw Robert McCall was in ‘The Equalizer 2,’ facing off against former DIA colleagues Dave York (Pedro Pascal), Kovak, Ari, and Resnik in the midst of a hurricane. McCall realized that he could have walked down the same path of crime but instead chose forgiveness. In the most recent film, Robert McCall has moved to Southern Italy in an attempt to leave his past behind.

    Where Can I Watch ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    ‘The Equalizer 3’ was released domestically on September 1, 2023, and is available in standard formats as well as in IMAX. Currently, the movie is still playing in theaters if you want a chance to experience it on the big screen. ‘The Equalizer 3’ has a total runtime of 1 hour and 49 minutes

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Equalizer 3’ Movie Showtimes

    Watch the official trailer for ‘The Equalizer 3’ below:

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    The movie was released on digital on October 6 and is available for purchase for $24.99 or rent for $19.99 on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, YouTube, and Google Play. No date has been released as to when the movie will arrive on streaming.

    Where to Watch: ‘The Equalizer 3’ Online

    Fans can also look forward to 4K UHD, Blu-Ray, and DVD release for the film. While no dates have been announced for the Blu-Ray/DVD release, retailers such as Best Buy and Amazon have the movie listed for pre-order. There will be a steelbook edition as a Best Buy exclusive. Bonus features for the physical release include:

    • Blood Brothers – The collaboration of Denzel Washington and Antoine Fuqua.
    • Call To Action
    • Robert McCall: A Man of the People
    • Denzel and Dakota: A Reunion
    • Postcards From The Amalfi Coast
    • Jacob Banks “Monster” Lyric Video

    Buy ‘The Equalizer 3’ On Amazon

    Watch The First 10 Minutes Of The Film

    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    Although the movie was just released on September 1st, it is already available on digital. Timed with the digital release, the first ten minutes of the film is available for free on IGN’s website. Opening on a Sicilian vineyard, where McCall has already left a path of dead henchmen along the path of the driveway and inside the building. As Lorenzo Vitale ventures inside, he finds Robert sitting calmly on a chair at gunpoint.

    “You took something that didn’t belong to you, I’m here to take it back,” McCall says before he hops into action, effortlessly taking down everyone in the room. Critics and audiences reacted positively to the film, garnering it a 75% critics score and a 94% audience score.

    Related Article: Denzel Washington Triumphantly Returns as Robert McCall in ‘The Equalizer 3’

    ‘The Equalizer 3’ official synopsis:

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    “Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.”

    Who Is In The Cast of ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    Emma (Dakota Fanning) reports to Frank what is happening in Italy in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Emma (Dakota Fanning) reports to Frank what is happening in Italy in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.
    Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Equalizer 3:’

    To watch our exclusive interview with Antoine Fuqua, as well as interviews with Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning about ‘The Equalizer 3,’ please click on the video player below.

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Equalizer 3’

    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    ‘The Equalizer 3,’ which is the third chapter of ‘The Equalizer’ movie franchise and was originally based on the 1980’s TV series of the same name, opens in theaters on September 1st and is once again directed by Antoine Fuqua (‘The Magnificent Seven,’ ‘Olympus Has Fallen’).

    What is the plot of ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) moves to Southern Italy to escape from his past, but later discovers that his new friends are under the control of the Sicilian Mafia. With the help of a young CIA agent (Dakota Fanning), Robert unleashes his past self to protect his new friends.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    Initial Thoughts

    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington stars as Robert McCall in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    Against all odds ‘The Equalizer’ franchise has become one of the most reliable action series in cinema, right up there with the ‘John Wick’ movies, and the third chapter does not disappoint. Director Antoine Fuqua adds a new tone by taking Robert McCall’s story to Italy, which breathes fresh life into the franchise without ever betraying the spirit of the popular protagonist. Denzel Washington has truly created one of his most memorable characters with McCall, and has unforgettable onscreen chemistry with co-star Dakota Fanning, reuniting with the actress for the first time since their work on the 2004 now-classic ‘Man on Fire.’

    Story and Direction

    Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    The original ‘The Equalizer’ loosely adapted the 80’s TV series by introducing us to Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), a retired CIA operative trying to live a quiet life in Boston. When outside forces threaten the small community he has created, McCall strikes back raining fire and vengeance down upon them. By the end of the first film, McCall has decided to put his skills to use helping those that can’t help themselves, which was the basic plot of the original TV series.

    ‘The Equalizer 2’ saw McCall in Boston making good on his promise from the first film and helping the unfortunate. But when his close friend and former CIA colleague Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo) is murdered by McCall’s former partner Dave York (Pedro Pascal), McCall releases a personal vendetta on York and his former team members.

    In ‘The Equalizer 3,’ we meet an older McCall, tired from his revenge-for-hire business, on a mission in Italy to right another wrong for an American family that lost their savings to an international gangster with terrorist ties. After an injury, McCall is taken to a small Italian town and nursed back to health by a local doctor named Enzo (Remo Girone). McCall soon comes to love the town and the people in it, including a waitress named Aminah (Gaia Scodellaro), who McCall has affection for. But when the town and its people are threatened by the same family of mobsters that McCall was trying to stop in the first place, he vows to take them all down one by one to save the town and protect its people. In order to do that, he enlists the help of a CIA agent named Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning), who unbeknownst to her, has a secret connection to McCall in her past.

    Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    Related Article: Director Antoine Fuqua Talks ‘The Equalizer 3’

    As action-packed as ‘The Equalizer’ franchise is, and as much as we all love seeing Denzel Washington systematically killing bad guys, the series is really a character study, and that has never been more apparent than in ‘Equalizer 3.’ By putting McCall in a new and foreign setting to him, it allows director Antoine Fuqua to slow the action just a bit and really explore what years of violence has done to this man that we’ve grown to love over the course of the previous films. It also doesn’t hurt that the character is portrayed by one of the most beloved actors of all time, who brings all that love and grace with him to the role, but more on that in a minute.

    Fuqua wisely opens the movie with a fantastic action sequence, which was featured in the trailer and sets the pace for the film before slowing it down to explore McCall’s state of mind to great effect. While some might just be waiting for the next action sequence, they will end up captivated by McCall’s journey, meeting the town’s people and watching him find a feeling of home in this town, which will give him his motivation for the explosive second half of the film.

    There is a comparison to be made between Fuqua and Washington’s collaborations and those of Martin Scorsese and Robert De Niro. In addition to ‘The Equalizer’ franchise, Fuqua and Washington have made together the Oscar-winning ‘Training Day’ and the western remake ‘The Magnificent Seven.’ The director and actor clearly have a strong shorthand together that works, as it does here again with this film.

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    Denzel’s Performance

    Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) watches Vincent crawl down his stairs in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) watches Vincent crawl down his stairs in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    There is no arguing that Denzel Washington is one of the greatest screen actors of all time. His body of work speaks volumes, so I won’t bother listing them all as everyone knows his resume. But in this modern age of superhero movies, a serious actor like Denzel could easily have slipped away from making box office hits but instead has embraced a franchise based on an old TV show and has turned McCall into his own version of a modern day superhero by infusing the character with his real-life integrity and gravitas. We root for McCall because we love Denzel, and we love seeing him … as the actor has said publicly, “get the guys we can’t get.”

    Washington takes the opportunity in ‘Equalizer 3,’ to really explore his character’s emotions in an authentic way that the franchise has not had a chance to do previously, while never really jeopardizing the pace or the action. After four films together Washington clearly trusts Fuqua, and it shows in his performance in this movie, as Robert McCall has truly become one of Washington’s signature characters.

    ‘Man on Fire’ Reunion

    Emma (Dakota Fanning) reports to Frank what is happening in Italy in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Emma (Dakota Fanning) reports to Frank what is happening in Italy in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    But one of the best parts of ‘The Equalizer 3’ is seeing the ‘Man on Fire’ reunion between actress Dakota Fanning and Washington. ‘Man on Fire’ is a 2004 Tony Scott classic, and one of the best films of Washington’s long and respected career. Fanning starred opposite Washington when she was just 10 years old and the two actor’s chemistry together in that movie was unforgettable … seriously, you should watch it if you haven’t! So, seeing Dakota and Denzel together again was a real treat, and their chemistry together is as good now as it ever was. Washington clearly has a lot of affection for Fanning, and that plays well with their character’s secret connection. Fanning is also believable as a young CIA agent, and the movie benefits from her presence.

    Misfires

    Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio, right) comes to the church to see his brother Marco (Andrea Dodero) in Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Vincent (Andrea Scarduzio, right) comes to the church to see his brother Marco (Andrea Dodero) in Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    While the movie is thoroughly enjoyable, both through its action-sequences and its performances, it does lag a bit in the first act, after the cold open action scene. The scenes are still enjoyable, and it establishes McCall’s connection to his new community for what is to come, but some viewers looking for non-stop action, may find these sequences tedious.

    The movie also lacks any original villains, and instead gives us generic Italian mafia bad guys. The first film at least established a ‘Die Hard’ Hans Gruber-type villain in Marton Csokas’ assassin Nicolai Itchenko, and the second movie had a personal antagonist in Pedro Pascal’s Dave York. In ‘The Equalizer 3’ we are given Andrea Scarduzio’s Vincent Quaranta, a spoiled narcissist with delusions of grandeur, who could easily be swapped into any James Bond or John Wick movie as the generic villain and has no real emotional to the story.

    Will there be an ‘Equalizer 4’?

    Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    That’s hard to say, but neither Fuqua or Washington have said they wouldn’t be interested, and the movie certainly leaves the possibility for more stories featuring Washington’s version of Robert McCall. And now that Fanning’s Emma Collins has been established, she could make a great ally for McCall moving forward.

    Also, director Antoine Fuqua has mentioned during the press tour for ‘The Equalizer 3’ that he has considered doing an ‘Equalizer’ prequel. He’s considered both the idea of de-aging Washington, similar to what was done with Harrison Ford for some scenes in ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny,’ as well as the idea of casting Washington’s own son, John David Washington (‘Tenet’) as a young McCall.

    Final Thoughts

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    ‘The Equalizer 3’ is a worthy addition to the extremely enjoyable ‘Equalizer’ franchise and Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua have recaptured the magic of the previous films while expanding on the emotional journey of the title character. Dakota Fanning is a delightful addition to the franchise, and seeing her reunite with Washington is a true treat for fans of the classic ‘Man on Fire.’

    ‘The Equalizer 3’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Equalizer 3:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Equalizer 3’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Denzel Washington Movies On Amazon

    ‘The Equalizer 3’ is produced by Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures, Fuqua Films, and Eagle Pictures, and is scheduled for release on September 1st.

  • ‘The Equalizer 3’ Interview: Director Antoine Fuqua

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    Opening in theaters on September 1st is the third chapter of ‘The Equalizer’ movie franchise entitled ‘The Equalizer 3,’ which was loosely based on the 1980’s TV series of the same name and is once again directed by Antoine Fuqua (‘Training Day,’ ‘Olympus Has Fallen’).

    What is the plot of ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) moves to Southern Italy to escape from his past, but later discovers that his new friends are under the control of the Sicilian Mafia. With the help of a young CIA agent (Dakota Fanning), Robert unleashes his past self to protect his new friends.

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    Who is in the cast of ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director Antoine Fuqua about his work on ‘The Equalizer 3,’ what audiences should expect from the new movie, why this chapter takes place in Italy, reuniting Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington, how his relationship with Denzel has grown over the years, and why audiences love Washington as Robert McCall.

    'The Equalizer 3' director Antoine Fuqua.
    ‘The Equalizer 3’ director Antoine Fuqua.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our exclusive interview with Fuqua, as well as interviews with Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning that took place before the SAG/AFTRA Strike.

    Moviefone: To begin with, what would you say to fans of this franchise sitting down right now to watch the third installment to prepare them for the theatrical experience they are about to have?

    Antoine Fuqua: Be prepared for McCall’s final masterpiece of not only just violence, but finding a home for himself in a spectacular setting.

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    MF: Why did you decide to take Robert McCall’s story to Italy for this movie?

    AF: Myself, the writer and the producers have always wanted to take Robert McCall international. In my mind, in his other life, he probably lived in many different places in the world. So Italy just felt natural, because Denzel goes there quite a bit and as well as myself. I wanted a place that he felt at home and comfortable and knew the language. So, the Amalfi Coast, of course, not only is it ideal, it’s just beautiful. This place, Atrani, where we filmed, is so old world, you feel like you’ve been transported back in time, and that was important to us.

    Related Article: ‘Equalizer’ Director Antoine Fuqua Could De-Age Denzel Washington for a Prequel About Robert McCall

    Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua and on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    MF: Obviously, you worked with Denzel Washington previously on ‘Training Day,’ but how has your friendship and your working relationship grown and changed through the course of making these three ‘Equalizer’ movies?

    AF: I mean, the friendship remains the same. We’ve been friends. Our family, we know each other that way. Business wise and director-actor, it’s always been a mutual respect. Denzel has total trust in me, and of course, I have total trust in Mr. Washington. He’s never come over to look at the monitor or come to the editing bay or anything like that. He completely trusts what I do and I trust what he does, and that’s been our relationship. He knows I’m going to come to work to handle business, and I know he is. You know he’s coming, so I better be ready.

    Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    MF: Can you talk about reuniting Dakota Fanning with Denzel Washington so many years after ‘Man on Fire,’ and the incredible onscreen chemistry they still have together in ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    AF: It’s incredible. I mean, what an opportunity. It just doesn’t happen that often where you see a young actor or actress grow up in front of you, and see an icon like Mr. Washington in a role together. Then have the opportunity to do it again later in life in something like this. So when I got the call from Todd Black that Dakota was interested, I said, “I got to meet her right now for lunch, today.” So we met. I fell in love with her, of course. I didn’t tell Denzel I was meeting with her. I wanted to make sure she really wanted to do it. Then I called Denzel, I said, “I met with Dakota. She wants to do it.” He was like, “Absolutely.” He loved Dakota. He lit up. So I was like, “Amazing.” So every day when I was filming them, he would turn to me sometimes and smile and go like, “She’s a grownup now.” He would just laugh about it. So it was like a father-daughter relationship. Really sweet.

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    MF: Finally, what do you think it is about this franchise, and particularly Denzel Washington’s performance as Robert McCall that resonates so much with audiences?

    AF: I think the audience resonated with him, because he’s a common man. There’s nothing fancy about him, and he’s all about helping others without recognition. He doesn’t do it for money or anything. It’s sort of a throwback to (Akira) Kurasawa, which is one of my heroes. Like the ‘Seven Samurai,’ you’re going to go help a village for a bowl of rice. Getting back to that was an important message to put out into the world. Denzel, just being a great actor and being the great person who he is, there’s no Robert McCall without Denzel Washington. So he brings all of himself to that character, and that’s why it works.

    Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

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    ‘The Equalizer 3’ is produced by Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures, Fuqua Films, and Eagle Pictures, and is scheduled for release on September 1st.

  • Antoine Fuqua Considering ‘Equalizer’ Prequel

    Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Denzel Washington and Director Antoine Fuqua between takes while filming in the Amalfi Coast on the set of Columbia Pictures ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Montesi.

    Denzel Washington will shoot back to our screens next month as government assassin-turned-do-gooding crusader Robert McCall in ‘The Equalizer 3’.

    And while it could end up being the final outing (though nothing has been said) for McCall in his present form, director Antoine Fuqua is already thinking of an idea for an ‘Equalizer’ prequel which would use de-aging technology so Washington can star as a younger version of the character.

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    What has Fuqua said about an ‘Equalizer’ prequel?

    Director Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Director Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo by: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    Here’s what Fuqua told NME:

    “I definitely thought about it a lot. Especially now with the new technology and the AI and all of that kind of stuff… Is there a story to be told about how [McCall] became this person — the younger version. I’ve had that conversation with [‘Equalizer’ screenwriter] Richard Wenk quite a bit.”

    But don’t go booking your tickets to ‘The Equalizer: Young McCall’ just yet. Right now, it’s still only in Fuqua’s mind and he has yet to sound out Washington on the concept, which has been most recently deployed in the opening sequence of ‘Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny’, winding back the clock to show Harrison Ford looking like he did circa ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’.

    As he explains:

    “I haven’t talked to Denzel about that yet. It’s all so fresh and new. I’m still watching [the technology]. I’ve watched Harrison Ford’s film and I know there’s other movies coming out. I think Sony has one coming out with Tom Hanks soon [Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Here’]. And I’m hearing the technology is getting better and better and better. So, I’m kind of watching it to see where it goes.”

    The notion of using AI and CG to de-age actors has been a controversial one; beyond the wider argument about AI and its impact on performers (which is a key point in the current SAG-AFTRA strike, it has been seen as a hit-and-miss idea.

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    What’s the story of ‘The Equalizer 3?

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall has struggled to reconcile the horrific things he’s done in the past and finds a strange solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed.

    Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.

    Related Article: Denzel Washington Back for ‘The Equalizer 3’

    Who else is in ‘The Equalizer 3’?

    Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of 'The Equalizer 3.'
    (L to R) Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington on the set of ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Cristiiano Montesi.

    The cast also includes Dakota Fanning (for a ‘Man on Fire’ reunion), Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, Remo Girone, Andrea Scarduzio, Daniele Perrone and Bruno Bilotta.

    Here’s Fuqua on the story:

    “The first film was about [McCall] finding a purpose. And it’s very external, right? He’s helping people. The second one is more about making peace with his past. He’s betrayed by his friends and [his colleague] dies and his wife has passed away… And then this one is more of a moral dilemma because he’s a darker character… He’s struggling with the violence and brutality.”

    ‘The Equalizer 3’ is in theaters on September 1.

    Denzel Washington in 'The Equalizer 3.'
    Denzel Washington in ‘The Equalizer 3.’ Photo: Stefano Montesi.

    Other Movies Similar to ‘The Equalizer 3:’

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Equalizer 3’ Movie Showtimes

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    ‘The Equalizer 3’ is produced by Escape Artists, Columbia Pictures, Fuqua Films, and Eagle Pictures, and is scheduled for release on September 1st.

  • Denzel Washington Back for ‘The Equalizer 3’

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    Denzel Washington in Sony Pictures’ ‘The Equalizer.’

    It has been nearly four years since Denzel Washington last dished out crusading, rough justice to baddies in ‘The Equalizer 2’. Since then, he’s been busy on other fronts, including producing ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’, directing ‘A Journal for Jordan’ and appearing in ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’, and ‘The Little Things’.

    Yet following talk back in January that Sony was putting the pieces – including Washington and director Antoine Fuqua – back together for a third ‘Equalizer’ outing, we have confirmation that the plan is for them to return, since the studio handed out a release date.

    “They have written the third ‘Equalizer’, so I’m scheduled to do that, Washington told Collider back then. “So I gotta get in shape and start beating people up again. I get to beat people up again. ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’ and then going and beating some people up. Can’t get any better, right?”

    For those who might have forgotten, the ‘Equalizer’ movies are a reboot of the classic 80s television series of the same name created by Richard Lindheim and Michael Sloan. The series followed Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a retired intelligence agent who becomes a private detective.

    The first film, from 2014, saw Washington starring as McCall alongside Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, David Harbour, Melissa Leo, and Bill Pullman as he faced off against the Russian Mafia to protect a young girl. The 2018 sequel has Washington, Leo, and Pullman all returning, joined by Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, and Orson Bean as Washington’s McCall sets out on a mission of revenge when one of his friends is murdered.

    Details about the third movie have yet to be revealed, but you can reliably expect that Washington’s Robert McCall will bring his smarts and creative weapons skills to another tough mission battling criminals.

    Sony is looking to release the new movie on September 1st, 2023.

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    The news comes amidst the studio reorganizing its release slate, including the disappointing announcement that ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ sequel ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse’ is being pushed back from a planned 2022 date into next year.

    This latest outing for Miles Morales and co., which has dropped the “Part One” from its title, will now bow in theaters on June 2, 2023. And the third movie in the series is also on the move: ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse Part II’ is due on March 29th, 2024.

    Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers and Justin K. Thompson are co-directing the movies from a screenplay by Phil Lord, Christopher Miller and David Callaham.

    That wasn’t the only Spider-news to hit from Sony – the company has also handed out a July 7, 2023 spot to ‘Madame Web’, which stars Dakota Johnson as the title character, a clairvoyant with abilities to see into the spider world. Sydney Sweeney also stars, while S.J. Clarkson will direct a script by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless.

    With ‘Across: The Spider-Verse’ vacating its original October 7 release date this year, that has left room for Sony to put live-action/CGI musical adaptation of children’s book series ‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ in its place. Shawn Mendes voices the eponymous singing crocodile, while Will Speck and Josh Gordon direct and produce.

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