Sony's 'The Equalizer' Gets a Sequel

We discuss the announcement and what possible directions the series could take.

Story by Matt Cummings

Robert McCall is returning to terrorize a thug near you. Collider is reporting that the 2014 surprise hit The Equalizer is getting a sequel, courtesy of beleaguered Sony Pictures. The original, loosely based on the 1980's television series, followed retired agent McCall (Denzel Washington) as he took down Russian gangsters with clock-like efficiency. The movie also starred Chloe Grace-Moretz, who played a prostitute that McCall ends up protecting after she is brutalized by her Russian pimp. The film, directed by Training Day alum Antione Fuqua, was hailed for its hard-boiled, Hard R violence, but also because it gave Washington the perfect vehicle to breath new life into the British gentlemen spy. The result was a worldwide take of $200 million on a $55m budget.

Those sorts of numbers make sense to Sony, so it was only a matter of time before they announced a sequel. That happened today at the Las Vegas CinemaCon, a venue for theater owners to learn what films are planned in the immediate- and long-term. Sony did show a title card for the sequel, but other matters were left unannounced. For example, it's unclear whether Fuqua will return, but Sony would probably want the original team and chemistry back rather than try to hand it off to a lesser hand. Washington is also not under contract, but with the success and positive reviews, it's all but assured he will also return.

The Equalizer succeeded for many reasons, namely for its excellent universe-building ala John Wick, introducing us to McCall as a retired hero with a dangerous past, instead of building it as a mere origin story. Equalizer also opened the door for a seemingly endless amount of directions the franchise could take. That would make for an exciting series, especially if all the pieces can return to full tell McCall's story. We could also a re-imagining of older stories ala 2009's Star Trek, several of which we discussed here. Any of these would be fascinating to see brought to the big screen, but Sony will have to decide which direction to ultimately take.

Source: Collider

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