The Equalizer is still a good seven months away from its September 26th release date, but that hasn’t stopped Sony from ordering up a sequel. The Wrap is reporting today that due to positive test screenings, the studio has hired Richard Wenk (The Expendables 2) to pen a follow-up, tentatively titled The Equalizer 2.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua and based on the popular 1980s TV show of the same name, The Equalizer stars Denzel Washington as a retired intelligence office named Robert McCall, “whose act of kindness toward a young prostitute gets him embroiled with the Russian mob.” Co-starring alongside Washington are Chloe Grace Moretz, Melissa Leo and Haley Bennett.
No word yet on which cast members would return for The Equalizer 2, but Washington’s contract was only for one film, so he’s not necessarily locked in for the follow-up. However, if The Equalizer is a hit (like they’re predicting it will be), I can’t see him not reprising his role. Apparently audiences loved what they saw at the test screening and one screening in particular scored the highest out of any R-rated movie that the studio has ever put out.
While this is certainly welcome news, it isn’t really surprising, given that Washington and Fuqua worked well together on the excellent Training Day and both of them are exciting talents. Between Fuqua’s gritty sense of realism that he brings to all of his films and Washington’s intensity and strong screen presence, it’s not hard to believe that Sony has a hit on their hands with The Equalizer.
Tell us, are you pleased to hear about The Equalizer 2 being given the green light? Sound off below!