Posted on Aug 8, 2023 2:40:05 PM
Richard Wank and Antoine Fuqua are helmingThe Equalizer 3
Franchises sometimes have a difficult time keeping the same director and writer for a series, but doing so tends to add cohesiveness to a franchise’s filming style, characterization, and plot direction. Luckily forThe Equalizerfans, both Richard Wank and Antoine Fuqua are back to close out the franchise. Wank has penned the series since the first film and Fuqua has taken his place in the director’s chair for all three movies as well.
Denzel Washington’s Robert McCall is back
Denzel Washington is back forThe Equalizer 3— but not for long. It’s been nearly a decade since Washington first graced our screens as the titular character Robert McCall. And though action heroes aren’t known for hanging up their guns, the day must come for every hero.The Equalizer 3will give fans a glimpse at Robert’s retirement. But it’s no surprise that he doesn’t have the luxury of retiring in peace. As a result, fans will get one last hurrah with Robert before Washington steps down from the series.
Empire interviewed Washingtonabout his departure, where he said about his character, “I don’t want to say he’s found happiness, and I don’t want to give it all away, but he meets someone lovely. He’s in a lovely town and he seems to be at peace.”
The actor noted that the end of the third film is a good place to stop. Washington continued the sentiment, adding, “I didn’t know that there were going to be three. Definitely didn’t know that when we did the first one. I didn’t know how it would end.”
So, what is it about this character that Washington loves so much?Extra asked the actorwhy he keeps coming back to play Robert McCall. Washington explained, “I think the collaboration, the destination, in this case, and unfinished business.”
Washington also confirmed that the third movie would have “just as many” stunts asThe Equalizer 2. He joked, “I’m the guy that jumps them at the end,” before adding some staggered breath and fake punches for good measure. He clarified that he wouldn’t be doing the bulk of the stunts, adding, “No, no, no. I do a little bit. I throw the punches. I don’t catch them.”
Some actors are adamant about doing a ton of stunts throughout their entire careers, so it’s good to see that Washington knows his limits and does as much as he can without pushing beyond the limit. No one wants to see beloved stars get hurt on set and at some point, we’ve got to leave the heavy stunt work to Hollywood’s incredible slate of stuntmen and women.
So, who else is in the movie?
We know Washington is back, butThe Equalizer 3features a ton of new actors and characters that fans will get to know throughout the film. Washington’sMan on Fireco-star Dakota Fanning will star in the movie, and the actors are excited to work together again.
When Extra asked Washington if he always wanted to work together with Fanning again, he joked, “She was too big. I called over and over and she said, ‘Denzel who?’” Fanning piped in to add, “I have said it so many times, but getting to work with Denzel Washington two times as an actor is really very special and I never knew if that would ever happen again.” She continued, “Getting to kind of reunite and be a part of this franchise … I’m such a huge fan of Antoine, and getting to know him and being part of it was really special.”
Among the other newbies in the new film are David Denman, Sonia Ammar, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Andrea Scarduzio, Remo Girone, Andrea Dodero, Daniele Perrone, and Gaia Scodellaro.
As it stands at the moment, it’s not clear how many OG actors and characters will be back for round three. The current cast list is pretty bare with little known about the characters they’ll play. Sometimes, that means that fans are in for a few surprise cameos. So don’t lose hope just yet if you were hoping to see a few series staples. But don’t count on it either.
This is probably it for the franchise
Plenty of franchises opt to keep the story going after the main character gets killed or the actor leaves the role. However, it seldom works for a series — especially in the action genre. Director Antoine Fuqua doesn’t seem to see much merit in carrying on the series without Washington, so it looks likeThe Equalizer 3is it for the series (at least for now). That’s not to say that we won’t see another reboot in the future or even another installment with Washington if an epic idea strikes (it wouldn’t be the first time). But at least for the moment, the third installment marks the end of the trilogy.
Fuqua explained the decision to Empire. “Robert McCall, the working-man hero, at some point he’s got to walk away from it.” He added, “At some point someone else has to pick up the ball and serve justice. He’s served his justice. He’s in a foreign place, he’s trying to find a home, find a place in the world. That’s really what’s important.”
As much as it might pain fans to know that this is the last movie, it’s always nice when actors and filmmakers end a series on their own terms rather than letting it fizzle out past its expiration date.
Robert is headed overseas
We’ve seen Robert McCall fight plenty of battles in the U.S., so it’s time to take the series overseas. Fuqua spoke to Extra about the decision to film in Italy — which was a multi-faceted choice. “Richard Wank wrote a great script in Italy, but you know, we wanted to make a film in Europe with McCall. We talked about it,” he explained. “Italy is a place that’s really close to Denzel. He’s been going ever since his kids were little — babies — in this particular area, the Amalfi Coast. And there’s a place that he introduced me to.” Fuqua noted that the area is amazing and that the decision felt like a natural place to film the movie.
So, it looks like the gang is in for a fun international ride to close out the series. The trailer backs this up as well with the first shot panning over the Italian flag. In the trailer, we hear the warning: “The Mafia, they’re like cancer.” So it’s pretty safe to say the Mafia will play some part in the movie’s location and plot direction. And they’re not exactly happy with Robert meddling in foreign affairs.
The trailer boasts that Robert has found his equal, so the movie is shaping up to feature his greatest foe yet. Washington told Extra that Robert is “Ready to fight the Mafia — or anyone else who gets in his way.”
What can fans expect fromThe Equalizer 3?
Okay, so we already know that the franchise is headed to Italy and Robert has to ditch retirement for one last ride. But what can we expect from the rest of the franchise’s third and final installment? According to the movie’s plot description, “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.”
It seems like Washington’s character is just as infatuated with Italy as the actor. The synopsis also notes, “Finding himself surprisingly at home in Southern Italy, he discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses.”
Of course, Robert isn’t one to let the bad guys win (or threaten his friends), so he’s ready to take matters into his own hands to protect the new haven (and people) he’s grown to love overseas. The synopsis concludes with the sentiment, “As events turn deadly, McCall knows what he has to do: become his friends’ protector by taking on the mafia.” Okay, does anyone else have chills?
Hopefully, by the end of the movie, Robert can enjoy a real retirement with his new friends with a few less explosions, gunshot wounds, and general trauma. It’s about time the guy got some peace.
When doesThe Equalizer 3release?
The wait forThe Equalizer 3is coming to a close as the release date for the third and final installment of the franchise inches closer. The movie hits Regal Theaters on September 1, 2023.
The Equalizer 3premieres in theatres on September 1st! See it at Regal.
