Cool News
Denzel Washington Is THE EQUALIZER!
Nordling here.
Now here's a role that Denzel Washington can play with relative ease. Deadline is reporting that Denzel Washington has been cast to play the role made famous by Edward Woodward on television in THE EQUALIZER. Sony really liked the script by Richard Wenk, and fasttracked the project to make sure Washington stayed on board, as the former special operations man who decides to help out the desperate who need justice.
Sony's throwing around some names as possible directors as well, including Nicolas Winding Refn and Gareth Evans. While those two are likely to be fairly busy in the next few months, it does give an idea of the movie that Sony's going for - stylistic, gritty, but probably most importantly, inexpensive. Other names being mentioned are Pierre Morel and Gavin O'Connor.
The role seems perfectly tailored to Denzel Washington, and imagining the possibilities of Washington in a Refn or Evans movie make me very curious indeed, even if those two are unlikely candidates for the director's slot. Shooting will begin next April.
Readers Talkback
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When did Denzel become an old British white dude?
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Denzil looks moody in a corner against 80's synth rip of...homages for an hour and a half
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Nordling that surely deserves a link to one of the best tv themes ever. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apPyKtvNP2E&feature=related
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And that's all that fucking matters. Michael Caine's too old and there aren't enough scary British white dudes of intimidating stature, maturity, and even temperament to pull it off. Although, technically, if we wanted to keep him British Idris Elba would be even better casting.
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July 24, 2012, 12:20 p.m. CST
Pass- I have yet to see him in anything where he earned his paycheck
by jupiterjim
the whole "I'm Denzel; I am in your mind/face/fight/buffet" is old...get some new blood please
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This was back when we had heroes on tv. Now its all homosexuals and reality shows.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uB1NiNKwueE&feature=related
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July 24, 2012, 12:26 p.m. CST
If I recall the 1st episode of the Equalizer he killed someone with
by jupiterjim
one of those door stops you screw into a baseboard...I thought that was pretty cool
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July 24, 2012, 12:27 p.m. CST
This would've been a nice post-House vehicle for Hugh Laurie.
by Cletus Van Damme
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that would be a good choice.
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Seems like the kind of dude that will probably only ever do original projects he himself has written.
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means less than nothing to the suits but still saying.
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Will Denzil be an ex cop whose wife and kids were killed or some such bollocks?? Imagine that I've never seen a film with Denzil playing that character before.
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...would be better served playing that cynical, one-eyed bastard who took a hot jizz load in the face.
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JUGGA_-JUGGA-JUG! KA-JUGGA-JUGGA-JUG! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP55y6qLrPo
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Are you forgetting Zod himself, Terence Stamp?! Anyway, Woodward was in his late 50's during the show, and it just worked, regardless of how physically imposing he was (he wasn't). Old-school gravitas sold the lot. Denzel's not a bad choice I suppose. I just know I'll see him in this film and think "haven't I seen this before"?
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just like the Kingpin.
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July 24, 2012, 12:54 p.m. CST
Yes, the opening theme to The Equalizer was badass!!! If this doesn't use I'm not in!!!
by Dogmatic
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...sadly this will probably not have any balls. And sadly, Refn is a pipe dream. The director of this will either suck, or we will never have heard of him.
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Ccoincidence that Sony have green-lit this after the internet buzz last week on the Punisher and, more exactly, how Pete where saying that Denzil has already walked that role! Until Hollywood comes up with an original idea, count me out!
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unless it becomes pg-13
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Edward Woodward is the sound I make when I fart in the bathtub.
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An old English dude who has a certain "don't fuck with me" something about him.
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...it makes no sense. None. Could you imagine an elder British actor acting against type as a bad-ass vigilante? Hugh Laurie would be great, yeah. Or Michael Caine? Anthony Hopkins? How bad ass would Hopkins be? BUT...remember...it's all about BANK. Denzel puts asses in chairs.
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Denzel kind of auditioned for the role when he did MAN ON FIRE. Torturing scumbags and taking no shit from criminals... so I think he could play the Equalizer. The important character trait is that Woodward mentally dominated the villain and used his gravitas to make the hoodlum seem 5 inches tall - and then after that he usually beat the shit out of him too for good measure. I think Denzel could pull that off. The biggest issue doing it as a movie will be making it feel episodic. The idea that the Equalizer takes on lots of cases. He's solving new shit every couple of weeks, equalizing here and then equalizing there. We dont want to only see him equalize only one fucked up situation. He needs to equalize at least three times during the 90 minutes. Thats the minimum amount of equalization I will accept.
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at least he's british. what is it with yanks playing our guys and us playing theres. this must be payback for british supes and bats. now we need to strike back with ricky gervais as magnum p.i.
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This was old news in 2011, how is it a headline today? Terrible choice anyway. Hugh Laurie, Timothy Dalton and Michael Caine are the only candidates, anything else is a waste of material.
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Still, its an interesting choice, if a predictable one. Edward Woodward bless him, he was a hard bastard in his day!! Even catch the Callum movie for evidence of that!!
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Think about it. Just remember you punks read it here first on AICN.
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*there aren't enough scary British white dudes of intimidating stature, maturity, and even temperament to pull it off.* I've got one name for you.... Jason motherfucking Isaacs.
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Complete with the "Wilf-son" accent.
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July 24, 2012, 1:27 p.m. CST
I remember there's an episode where where a very young Kevin Spacey is the badguy
by Rebel Scumb
Equalizer kills him with a forklift
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but this seems interesting somehow.
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And why not?
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No no no-no-no!
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Jason Isaacs was scary in that!! Brilliant brilliant brilliant, and sadly on a level many wouldn't understand here. I do warn you, its not violent or horrific visually - its just Isaac and an interviewee. But man, he nails it. And its based on truth, that really makes it hurt. Jason Isaacs, like Mark Strong, has done his turn of helping others. He needs to be recognized now for how good he is.
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July 24, 2012, 1:36 p.m. CST
And with this, Washington's career is officially in skipping-record mode
by kevred
Cash the checks, pal, we'll see you in about 15 years when you get your return-to-credibility older-actor role and the Oscars pat you fondly on the back on your way out. Until then, films like this don't matter and are the laziest shortcuts to a little studio cash. (Put me down as a Woodward & Copeland fan.)
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July 24, 2012, 1:36 p.m. CST
whereismymind2011 Sorry, but I beat you to it since yesterday.
by Stalkeye
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..himself, the same as in every movie he ever makes. The guy is no more an actor than John Wayne. He's great to watch and charismatic but he never plays anything but DENZEL!
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I was surprised to see him in Hot Fuzz, as I barely recognised him. Great Actor, R.I.P.
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Velvet, no I haven't heard of that one, will have to check it out. But I agree with you that Jason isaacs is deserving of a lead role. Sadly it won't be this one, but his performances in the likes of BLACK HAWK DOWN, THE PATRIOT, and of course Lucius Malfoy convinces me he would have been a brilliant Equalizer.
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July 24, 2012, 1:55 p.m. CST
Will Mickey Costmeyer and Ding-Ding Salamanca have cameos?
by tangcameo
Will DW be driving the car? This could be good. This could fall as flat as the weekold pepsi in my fridge.
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July 24, 2012, 1:59 p.m. CST
What next? Simon Pegg as Stringfellow Hawk or The Rock as Michael Knight.Just leave it alone...........please.
by emeraldman
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Maybe check out Glory, Malcolm X, Training Day, The Hurricane, Book of Eli, etc.
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Densely doesn't always play himself, but he does always look like himself... You know certain actors seem to disappear into a role physically, like Gary old man as Smiley for example. But Denzel never does that, plus he always has the same haircut. Still a brilliant actor tho.
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Densely - fucking predictive text!
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Gary Busey seems more like the Randomizer to me!
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So Here's a quick list of guys who would be awesome: Terrence Stamp, Michael Caine, Alan Ford, Ian McShane, Patrick Stewart, Brian Cox (Scottish), Ray Winstone, John Hurt, Bill Nighy, Peter Mullan (Scottish)
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July 24, 2012, 2:28 p.m. CST
Whats with all the talkbacker racism? Never understood why so many talkbackers hate quality black actors.
by maxcherry
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July 24, 2012, 2:31 p.m. CST
talkbackers know of only two working black actors in hollywood
by rakesh patel
Elba and Washington. its always a coin flip between the two even when its a female role.
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July 24, 2012, 2:32 p.m. CST
Nothing against Denzil but The Equalizer should be a Brit. Kenneth Brannagh would have been wonderful....
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 2:33 p.m. CST
....Maybe Denzil will revoke his 'cor blimey mary poppins' brit accent from QUEEN AND COUNTRY
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 2:33 p.m. CST
Cable TV should have made SON OF THE EQUALIZER with William Zabka....
by SmokieGeezer
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even then it's got to compete with the likes of Breaking Bad, Game of Thrones, Mad Men etc etc.
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July 24, 2012, 2:36 p.m. CST
don't forget Will Smith mr_x_, they still think he is using the same hip hop schtick he used back in the 90's on Fresh Prince of Bel Air and Independence Day
by maxcherry
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I see no racism. All I see is Talkbacker's wanting an actor that matches the description of the character as he was originally written.
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Loved the sleazy New-York vibe, you could practically smell the AIDS. I remember Edward Woodward had a heart attack between seasons. They got Robert Mitchum to hold the fort for a few episodes. The music was fucking awesome, really unique sounding.
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July 24, 2012, 2:37 p.m. CST
Why does the character have to be a Brit? The tv show was good, but it's not like it's some all time popular tv series...
by maxcherry
so who cares if they change the ethnicity of the character
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July 24, 2012, 2:39 p.m. CST
and they could still have Denzel play the character as a Brit, you know it's called acting. And in the modern day UK all brits aren't white
by maxcherry
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July 24, 2012, 2:44 p.m. CST
@chuffsteruk, it's adaptation of a tv show, and one that isn't some all time popular tv series. Most people who would go to see this movie, probably will never even have heard of the show The Equalizer….
by maxcherry
and you never ever see talkbackers complain about white people playing roles that were originally written as a different ethnicity other than caucausian
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MADEA GETS EQUALIZED
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July 24, 2012, 2:53 p.m. CST
@BookHouseBoy - "You could practically smell the AIDS"
by Cletus Van Damme
This joke was like that jellyfish that has the neurotoxin that travels faster than your pain impulses, so it kills you before you even feel the sting. I never snort when I laugh, but this made me let out a surprised snort of laughter that was already echoing in my office before I even realized I was laughing. DAMNED well played, sir.
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July 24, 2012, 2:53 p.m. CST
As much as I like Washington, NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
by SergeantStedenko
oooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo! It should have been Idris Elba!
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Would not be a bad choice.
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encapsulates everything in 30 seconds. the theme spot on, the images, perfect. you know exactly what's happening. and what the fuck is going down. I wonder if it will be set in the 80's? I'd be in if Scorsese directed.
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July 24, 2012, 2:57 p.m. CST
Actually, Liam Neeson was the obvious and best choice.
by SergeantStedenko
But, I have a huge man crush on Neeson and I was a hardcore Equalizer fan, so that combination would have actually probably not been a very good thing for my underwear. This casting on the other hand does nothing to excite me.
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Liked the TV program Like Denzel It's a win.
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July 24, 2012, 3:18 p.m. CST
When your bass is too booming and your treble too shrill, call the Equalizer!
by openthepodbaydoorshal
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July 24, 2012, 3:19 p.m. CST
For all of you TDKR haters, the co-creator of Bane loved the representation of Bane in TDKR….
by maxcherry
http://www.superherohype.com/news/articles/171917-bane-co-creator-on-his-portrayal-in-dark-knight-rises
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The majority of people who'll see this film with be fans of the TV series, that's the reason it's getting made. Oh and I can't think of any white actors playing `ethnic`roles, except maybe Angelina Jolie in `A Mighty Heart, which caused uproar the the time.
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Make the movie with Denzel now. Put a new series on TV with Laurie for a few years .... and then REBOOT the Equalizer in about 10 years when JASON STATHAM gets some age on him. Statham IS the Equalizer.
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July 24, 2012, 3:26 p.m. CST
Actually I could see the director of Safe House do well by this.
by openthepodbaydoorshal
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July 24, 2012, 3:30 p.m. CST
@chuffsteruk, if a majority of the people who go see this movie are fans of the tv show, then it will be a box office bomb….
by maxcherry
and there really wasn't any uproar over Angelina Jolie playing a character who in real life is a light skinned black woman.
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July 24, 2012, 3:35 p.m. CST
Liam Neeson, Patrick Stewart, Gary Oldman, Ian McKellen...I could go on and on before getting anywhere near the name of Denzil Washington and yes race is a factor.
by Arafel
The legions of fans of the original EQUALIZER will wonder why they cast someone who is not British and not White. Sorry,but like everything else in life race and nationality are factors in life. Denzil should gracefully bow out of the lead role so Liam Neeson can take it. Maybe Denzil could play one of the Equalizer's old spy buddies who gets killed halfway through the movie...
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It probably will bomb and as for your poor memory, try Google.Type "Jolie outrage A Mighty Heart"... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14157112/#.UA8H1LSe6P8 One of many..
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nuff said. One of the best tv shows ever by the way.
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And the movie will probably be: 1 - Badly done 2 - In 3D
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Denzel can be great in this, I mean he was pretty good in Man On Fire. I do like the Jason Isaacs suggestion though.
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What was "Bronson" an homage to? The 'Pusher' trilogy was Scorcese, 'Valhalla Rising' was Tarkovsky, and 'Drive' was Michael Mann.
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I don't mind a black Equalizer, but Denzel doesn't look hardboiled enough to me for that role. Laurence Fishburn, Samuel Jackson, perhaps, but not Washington. The Equalizer is supposed some sort of grumpy old retired James Bond kinda guy.
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July 24, 2012, 4:25 p.m. CST
....Drive that Jaguar like a Bad Motherfucker.....Have a son named Scott who was the bad guy in Karate Kid? No....
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 4:28 p.m. CST
Mc Call is an elegant 50 something British Male....He worked for The Company and has regular meetings with Control. Please, Please make Control CHARLES GRODIN! He would be perfect
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 4:29 p.m. CST
The subject material goes from fish out of water to another formulaic Denzel action movie......I can only fear the worst
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 4:31 p.m. CST
Some jerk in Hollywood should have written SON OF THE EQUALIZER with William Zabka....Johnny from Karate Kid gotta eat!
by SmokieGeezer
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Right yo?
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...and MAN ON FIRE was one of my all-time favorites (if only he'd put one of those chargers up his butt and had the heroine page him there at the end, would've been PERFECT!). But for THE EQUALIZER? That doesn't seem right. The whole thing that worked about that series was seeing this dapper old English gentleman putting the whup-ass on scumbags and street trash. You didn't expect it coming from him. But from Denzel? We've already seen it before, so what's the point? It'll be like SAFE HOUSE 2, only Tobin Frost somehow survived to help people on the streets of New York. Eh. Just doesn't have the same pizzazz...
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there's a nice little double entendre. at least the guy can rock a 'stache. as far as the equalizer...what? they couldn't get pierce brosnan or sean bean on the phone?
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July 24, 2012, 4:46 p.m. CST
And will Denzel kill Adam Ant after he hookers out JD Walsh's daughter? No
by SmokieGeezer
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That would own.
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July 24, 2012, 4:47 p.m. CST
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 4:49 p.m. CST
I will avenge this outrage and set my script for THE SUBSTITUTE V in Cornwall......You take Robert McCall....I take Karl Thommason
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 4:49 p.m. CST
Fits - considering all of his performances are EQUALLY identical to each other.
by Engelhast
See what i did there? ;)
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July 24, 2012, 4:50 p.m. CST
Jaden Smith to be Denzel's Son and keep The Karate Kid link...
by SmokieGeezer
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I'm so sick of movie execs going back to television for ideas. Isn't there any fucking creativity left in Hollywood? Watching dark knight rises and it's complete lack of originality answers my question
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July 24, 2012, 4:54 p.m. CST
Dark Knight Rises - Worst major film of the past decade
by Raptor Jesus
Saw it last night. Seriously, what a ridiculous movie. It was off the scale unbelievable. Worse than Prometheus, if you can imagine.
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It was a missed opportunity for greatness. Nolan took every cliche to see up his trilogy, guess he should have stopped after TDK
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At least it will have a cool trailer, if they use that music intro..
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Because we know what Denzel thinks of atheists, don't we? I'd been looking forward to this movie. Now I'll be giving it a miss.
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This type of vengeful agent character is one he's played too much already. And you don't need to look like Woodward to be a good lead in an Equalizer film.
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That will piss me off if they leave this out, or worse turn it into some fucking hip-hop fucked up shit. Denzel makes any movie good. The dude is such a great actor he could make the movie version of "Chutes and Ladders" be Oscar-caliber. Seriously though, I think this could be decent.
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July 24, 2012, 5:32 p.m. CST
Conspiracy is PROFOUNDLY Disappointed with "The Equalizer"
by conspiracy
Profound disappointment. Those are the two words that absolutely encapsulates the feeling I have at this exact moment I call BULLSHIT on this whole affair....and if YOU know and Love The Equalizer even 1/8 as much as I do, you'll call BULLSHIT on this as well. I LOVE Equalizer...and part of that love is due to the fact that here you have a middle aged Jaguar Englishman, who has thrown his murderous Spy life away to help out the little people in the nastiest ghettos of New York. My Recasting the part for Denzel Washington...I call BULLSHIT on that Notion right there...the producers have shown they obviously have NO RESPECT for the orginal TV show, and don't understand the rich history of character at all! The Equalizer can't be a suave Black Guy, he must be the fish out of Water than only a Middle Aged Englishman would be!!!! HAVEN'T These people ever Watched the Show? Have he NO RESPECT for Canon!? I once met the assistant craft services supervisor at a Con, he later became my best friend, sent me "Equalizer" napkins from the set, we became so close in fact he came over and fucked my sister...and he can't believe what they are doing with the Epic Character!!! Its just ridicules! Whats next...getting a woman to play his sidekick?! That Part DEMANDS FEROCITY...where you going to find a bitch like that?! ;) ;) ;)
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over 10 years and no fucking edit button. Sorry for typos...trying to work while fucking off.
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Not sure about Denzel myself, though the anachronism that E-wah Woo-wah was a former CIA agent - even though he's British - felt strange. As for Liam Neeson, it'd be too much like his Taken character, with a special set of skills and a quiet manner. Patrick Stewart is too old, Hugh Laurie looks too young and lacks sufficient gravitas, Timothy Dalton is too bald (though otherwise perfect), Gary Oldman's not imposing enough and Michael Caine would have been ideal twenty years ago. But all of them would be a better fit than Denzel.
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profoundly.
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July 24, 2012, 5:47 p.m. CST
Hey AICN, you know George Jefferson died today (Sherman Hemsley)
by ganymede3010
Surpised there's no a thread for aruably the best sitcom comedian ever. R.I.P!
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Come on, you know that's the only reason why anyone remembers this show!
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That is all that needs be said.
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to that deeeluxe apartment... in the skyyyy
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July 24, 2012, 6:11 p.m. CST
Highly doubt Liam Neeson or Brian Cox, would claim to be British.
by maxcherry
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wait that really did happen.
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wait that happened too
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The actor who played him was. I was writing television back then, and got ahold of the Bible for the show, planning to pitch for it. They described the character very thoroughly: race was never mentioned. The background as a British secret service guy was (I think. Certainly "secret service") but casting Edward Woodward doesn't lock him into being white, and old. Even if you thought he had to be British, plenty of Brits play Americans, and vice versa. I hazard to say that only white males are complaining. Such thin, thin skins.
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again that happened too
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Not flawless by any stretch, but damn good. Strong enough for me to look past those flaws and enjoy it for the kick ass, emotional yet fun action film that it was. Oh, and Catwoman bent over on the batpod, and in front of the safe. DAMN! You gotta be fucking kidding me.
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"Hi, I'm Equalizer. This gun plus me equals death. For you." "I'm first among equals." "Equalize this".
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House is basically Sherlock Holmes - as is The Equalizer, a consulting badass you turn to when all the authorities have let you down.
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again that really happened
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July 24, 2012, 6:24 p.m. CST
There is already an excellent "Equalizer" show on TV: It's called "Person of Interest"
by Clio
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doomed like so many others to be turned into a big-budget, too-slick-for-it's-own-good, disrespectful-to-canon, 2 hr. shit-fest for the sake of a quick cash grab. I grew up on this show & eff-ing luved it! Always thought that Anthony Hopkins, Michael Caine or Liam Neeson would be great for it. No disrespect to Denzel, but you wouldn't cast him as James Bond either. Speaking of Bond, someone else mentioned Pierce Brosnan...even that would be more in keeping w/the tv series. Fuckin' Hollywood.
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king kong's got nothing on me
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Denzel will likely do a solid job, but I was more interested when Russell Crowe was in contention for the role. One, he could still do an English accent, and two, you don't see Crowe do too many movies like this. Denzel's done A LOT of action movies over the last decade with roles somewhat similar to this. I just think Crowe could bring more edge to the character while still remaining charming and sophisticated. I just wish Universal would release more than just season one of the TV show on DVD because I've hardly seen anything beyond season one!
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July 24, 2012, 6:32 p.m. CST
Creasy's art is death, and he's about to paint his masterpiece.
by fanboy71
I like it. I loved Edward Woodward, but Denzel will be great IMO. It's not like the Reacher situation where his size and strength play a major part in the story.
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Give him gray thinning hair. Let him play hard instead of stammering for a change.
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July 24, 2012, 6:39 p.m. CST
Who gives a shit about race? What, if you prefer someone over Denzel its racist?
by F This
FUCK YOU. Liam FUCKING Neeson was made for this role. Denzel is a great fucking actor, and I see almost every movie he's in. I don't prefer him for this role. People have already said it might end up basically being another Man on Fire, which obviously he's already done.
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Will he still drive a Jag? Because Denzel looks to be more of a Chrysler 300 kind of a guy.
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Idris Elba as The Equalizer. I'd buy that! As long as he wears a suit like Woodward did. Got to be posh.
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July 24, 2012, 7:24 p.m. CST
So Denzel will yet again play Denzel in the role of the Equalizer
by AlienFanatic
I swear, Denzel has only one gear. You get the exact, same guy in every movie. It's that old definition of "movie star" vs. "actor." An actor is a person who can pretend to be someone else while a movie star pretends someone else is him. There are much better actors, of all colors, than Denzel. He's just good looking and well known. I have no problem with him, but it's a pretty bland choice.
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...the ending of the new Equaliser sees Denzel being burnt alive in a giant wicker cock... Fingers crossed, eh?
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July 24, 2012, 7:37 p.m. CST
His wife, Pauletta, having raised their kids to adulthood, has resumed her career and is currently on stage in CROWNS at the Goodman Theatre in Chicsago.
by SnootyBoots
For those who are interested.
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The Equalizer?" Really? Did someone beat them to "Simon & Simon" AND "Manimal?
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What would they have to change, like 3 pages of script?
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Jason Lee as Magnum as he can grow a mean mustache like Tom Selleck! DW is a good choice for this, I wouldve thought though Neeson would be first choice, however was Russell Crowe Favorite a few months back?
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July 24, 2012, 8:09 p.m. CST
Gotta Problem? Odds Against You? Call The Equalizer.......
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 8:11 p.m. CST
And I repeat Denzel will not kill Adam Ant with a flying dart for hookering out JD Walsh's Daughter....Can only be second to Mr Woodward
by SmokieGeezer
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July 24, 2012, 8:12 p.m. CST
I DON'T KNOW MUCH ABOUT THE EQUALIZER BUT I KNOW THIS MUCH
by big_dicks_cum_from_small_beginnings
He ain't fucking black.
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July 24, 2012, 8:21 p.m. CST
WAS COLIN FIRTH BUSY OR SOMETHING?
by big_dicks_cum_from_small_beginnings
You have got to be kidding me with this Denzel bullshit.
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July 24, 2012, 8:22 p.m. CST
Why are comments not posting in Harry's "disappointed" TDKR review?
by Chris Moody
He stopped allowing posts on Friday afternoon?
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July 24, 2012, 8:22 p.m. CST
DENZEL NEEDS TO REMOVE "ACTOR" FROM HIS RESUME
by big_dicks_cum_from_small_beginnings
His last good role was in Training Day. That's like ancient history.
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If you're not hip (or old) enough to have any fucking clue what I'm talking about, look it up, sonny.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rpj64v8sQ50
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July 24, 2012, 8:50 p.m. CST
It's funny. I had the Airwolf theme in my head when I saw this headline, then I went on youtube and was I off.
by CodeName
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July 24, 2012, 8:54 p.m. CST
But they might as well use the Airwolf theme to Denzel's Equalizer. It's too bad.
by CodeName
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..just wanted to throw my hat in there..
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July 24, 2012, 9:09 p.m. CST
im fucking sick of Denzel Washington. FUCKING SICK OF HIM AND WILL SMITH...SHIT.
by gk1
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July 24, 2012, 9:17 p.m. CST
Really? An Equalizer movie? What's next, Simon & Simon or Falcon Crest?
by Xenodistortion
Im sure the rights to Moonlighting is pretty cheap too. Hire Damon Lindelof to write a reboot (Moonlighting Rises!) of either that or Spencer For Hire and you got yourself a license to print money. Yeah.. that's the smart way to go.
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July 24, 2012, 9:28 p.m. CST
Hipshot, some White Males aren't happy unless there's 100% White Male domination..
by ganymede3010
Take comic book characters for instance. 99.9% of them are White! God forbid if they alter that number to 98.9% to include other ethnic groups without some jack ass complaining.
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July 24, 2012, 9:30 p.m. CST
GK1, that's because Hollywood gives all the best Black roles to a few select Black Actors.
by ganymede3010
According to them, it's because non-blacks won't pay to see anyone else. I disagree however.
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Case closed.
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and showing how he came to create the League of Shadows. He owns that character. Even non comic fans but who saw Batman Begins or DKR would know who the character is and would probally go see it.
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Some dumb ass said that he hasn't seen Denzel in anything where he earned his paycheck? Glory? Malcolm X? Those are ones he didn't even win the Oscar for. Also, never seen the Equalizer. Couldn't have been that huge of a hit to warrant the, "ZOMG! A black dude is playing the role instead of a white guy!" type backlash. People are aware that the role Morgan Freeman plays in Shawshank was for a white guy, right?
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That happened too!
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That happened also... Sheez
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July 24, 2012, 10:02 p.m. CST
Who played that Japanese car racer from the Japaneese Show Speedracer?
by ganymede3010
Im sure it was an Aisan right? Oh noes, it was Emile Hirsch.... Oh the horror!
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Get Bale to play Max so at least he can have another role to use his Batman voice!
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True, the original Treatment/Bible for the Equalizer probably did not mention the character's race. But, guess what happened, a senior citizen very white English actor was cast in the role. That actor was Edward Woodward and he made the role his own so much so that now when anyone thinks of that role they think Edward Woodward. Therefore anyone nostalgic for the show is going to want to see some semblance of Edward Woodward in whoever plays him when they go to see the movie. Sorry, but when I think of stodgy old English guy, Denzel Washington doesn't even make it in my list of top 100 actors to play McCall. Race really doesn't factor into it. I actually would be very pleased with Idris Elba in the role. He would be int my top 5. Liam Neeson would be my first choice, because he is the actor that gives me the most Edward Woodward vibe. If all they wanted to do is take the story of the Equalizer, it is a very simple plot to duplicate and they wouldn't need to call it The Equalizer. Itbreally doesn't benefit the producers of this adaptation to associate it with the original without geting an actor who can bring to the role what Woodward did. As a big fan of the show I have zero interest in this project now. And that has nothing to do with the color or Denzel's skin.
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July 24, 2012, 10:40 p.m. CST
Fun Fact: If Idris Elba played the role, he'd only be five years younger than Woodward.
by Baked
Too young? Fuck that shit. Black don't crack.
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July 24, 2012, 10:41 p.m. CST
Never realized how many BIGOTS there were on AICN. Was anyone disappointed with Ben Kingsley playing Gandhi?
by dasheight
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July 24, 2012, 10:41 p.m. CST
DENZEL WASHINGTON *IS* THE AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONIZER
by big_dicks_cum_from_small_beginnings
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Trust me, I know. So I don't have a problem with them changing the character. It was never all that essential. But Washington hasn't impressed me in a long time, so I'm skeptical this will work anyway. It's up to Denzel to convince me.
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Oh wait, that happened too.
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July 24, 2012, 10:54 p.m. CST
Christina Hendricks and Carey Mulligan as Latinas in Drive...
by Baked
Oh, wait, that happened too.
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Oh, wait, that happened too.
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Yeah, that happened.
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As is the logo. Now I’ll have to see if I can bittorrent the series.
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July 24, 2012, 11:17 p.m. CST
nolan bautista, you fagtard. Malcolm X was real. The Equalizer was not. Fucking idiot.
by Queefer Sutherland
Suck my dick.
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He's British, can pass for older, and he's done action before (the badass Alliance operative in the movie Serenity).
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Typical liberal making shit up again.
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And you merely think you're reading this. Except you're not real, so you really can't even be thinking. But since I am thinking that you're thinking, you are momentarily real to me, but won't be as soon as I finish typing this.
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July 25, 2012, 12:30 a.m. CST
@baked, Chrisitina Hendricks and Carey Mulligan played white girls in Drive, you fucking dumbass
by maxcherry
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The Prequelizer
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Don't even pull that race card crap. Tell me in your heart of all hearts -- when you think of The Equalizer, do you immediately say to yourself; "Hey, it's Denzel Washington!" I didn't think so.
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Good to see Chris Bale in Denver. Now it would be interesting to see him and that moron, James Holmes, sitting face to face in an interrogation room. Still can't believe what happened there last week. With Denver barely finding closure on Colombine, this idiot comes along and ruins more families lives. It will probably be the basis for a future Michael Moore documentary: "Movie-going For Aurora"...Can see it coming.
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King George don't have shit on me!
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July 25, 2012, 3:06 a.m. CST
In all seriousness though, I like Denzel's work most of the time
by lv_426
If they have a good script and director then it could work even with the fact that it isn't a British dude in the lead. Alternate Equalizer casting ideas, just for fun: Ray Stevenson or Jason Isaacs.
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July 25, 2012, 3:07 a.m. CST
Props to Bale for visiting the victims of that horrific shooting in Aurora.
by Stalkeye
Way to step-up, Batman!
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July 25, 2012, 3:16 a.m. CST
They should redo the Miami Vice remake and set it in the 80's
by lv_426
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July 25, 2012, 3:21 a.m. CST
If Denzel wasn't such a mega-movie-star he could be Col. Tigh in Bryan Singer's Battlestar Galactica remake
by lv_426
Since Tigh was a black man in the original BSG, which is what Singer is using as the basis for his remake.
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Is Ed Harris.
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July 25, 2012, 3:48 a.m. CST
Denzel Washington should not be in tgis 'cause he's just plain ol' shite! Another over-rated limited actor who plays the same person each time.
by borisdoris
Washington, apart from his up his own arsness, self-righteous, dullard pomposity, is a boring actor. All his films have hime protraying his character in the same way. Same intonation, same physical ticks same person. He joins that list of schtick actors that heaven knows why, have become household names on a dearth of appreciable talent. Actors who play the same person over and over and over again but for some unknown reason get more credit than they are due. Washington should not be getting roles, he should be doing voiceobers for advertising male itch cream. And theb we would not have to suffer this assholes self-triumphant smug pus.
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July 25, 2012, 3:49 a.m. CST
Jason Isaacs would have been just right as the Equalizer
by ThrowMeTheIdol
Not that he can put butts in seats like Denzel.
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Great suggestion: an old, been-through-the-wars Timothy Dalton would be great!
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Brutal violence throughout. I'm calling it. It will be the best movie this summer.
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Therefore anyone nostalgic for the show is going to want to see some semblance of Edward Woodward in whoever plays him when they go to see the movie
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I never watched this show, but Harewood needs work and we need to see it.
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this could be quite class. the more i think, the genius it is to cast a black actor in the role of The Equalizer. a non-white would have a greater sense of inequality, surely? Hugh Laurie, Liam Neeson, Gary Oldman and in particular the underused Timothy Dalton are all excellent shout outs, but i think this one could be spectacular they way they are going.
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Can't wait for the 'gritty' intro in shifting-focus shaky-cam and fucked-up Tony Scott colours.
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http://tinyurl.com/c42oymw
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The Fally Guy - Colt Seavers!
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It was made by the drummer from the Police and its awesome. I used to watch the theme song only when I was a kid, then change the channel because the show was boring.
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July 25, 2012, 8:10 a.m. CST
I only watched one episode because Ad Rock from the Beastie Boys was in it
by ajit maholtra
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I love Washington, even though his last couple of flicks have been misses. I was quite disappointed with Safe House. But I'll check this out.
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...that way they can keep that "Retired foreigner with a secret agent past living abroad who uses his unique skills and training to help everyday people"hook that give the original show its enduring mystique. I doubt that is what they are planning, but stranger things have happened.
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July 25, 2012, 8:41 a.m. CST
hipshot, the pointlessness of this remake is a whole other issue.
by SergeantStedenko
You're right, no one is going to be able to replace Woodward, because he IS the Equalizer. But, one of the most important elements essential to the character, even back in the bible was that he IS English. Washington is not English and as of now I am unconvinced that he can pull off an adequate British Accent made all the more galling but the fact that their are so many actors who actually are British, many mentioned in this very talkback, who would be better suited than Denzel to fill Woodward's trench coat.
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July 25, 2012, 8:47 a.m. CST
forvalakafobic, I thought the same thing, but we are grabbing at straws
by SergeantStedenko
Fact is that the studio execs already lost every single fan of The Equalizer with this casting decision. I really am genuinely at a loss at how people who do this all the time can go in to a boardroom and toss names around as to who could play Robert McCall and THIS is what they came up with. It's almost as it they WANT to piss the fans off. And they want the movie to fail. They sure as shit don't want to make an actual Equalizer movie.
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July 25, 2012, 8:48 a.m. CST
Jay Pharaoh IS Denzil Washington AS The Equalizer..
by openthepodbaydoorshal
IN a movie very, very, very loosely based on a series 37 people actually watched.
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And so is that pile of shit I left in the corner of your kitchen.
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HEY GUYS, YOU JUST GOT SHOT SEEING ME, I'M SURE I'M NOT A REMINDER OF THE WORST EVENT OF YOUR LIFE OR ANYTHING INSENSITIVE LIKE THAT. GODDAMMIT, DOCTORS, GET THE FUCK OUT OF MY FUCKING SCENE, YOU FUCKS!
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July 25, 2012, 9:05 a.m. CST
podbaydoor, you mock, but it actually is a really good show
by SergeantStedenko
I highly recommend it, especially if you like espionage and spy tv shows/movies. Robert McCall is George Smiley meets Dirty Harry. Now, doesn't that sound like a cool character you'd want to tune in to see every week?
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July 25, 2012, 9:26 a.m. CST
sergeantstedenko-I know, I keed, I keed. Personally I was a giant fan of Wiseguy, instead.
by openthepodbaydoorshal
The Equalizer just seemed to be another of a long line of CBS' "middle aged crime fighters" series. I'm sure Mr. Woodward did a smashing job.
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The lady is booking it and running, while the chap is just sauntering along?
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Yeah, I guess I had a thing for Daddy figures. I had to draw the line at Matlock though. Hated that character as much as I like Andy Griffith. My brother loved Wiseguy. I never got into it. Probably because I was so into The Equalizer.
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*The Equalizer just seemed to be another of a long line of CBS' "middle aged crime fighters" series* No, this wasnt Murder She Wrote. You didnt see Angela Lansbury executing street hoodlums with a ballistic knife and sniper rifle. Think a TV series of DEATH WISH and youll be closer to it.
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Like I said, George Smiley meets Dirty Harry, or Charles Bronson if you prefer.
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July 25, 2012, 9:59 a.m. CST
Re: Matlock - I do love the Hyper Chicken from Futurama -
by openthepodbaydoorshal
Now I may be just be a simple country Hyper-Chicken, but I know when we're finger licked
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You may want to check out a couple of Denzel movies where he's not the sole focus...two I'd recommend are "A Soldier's Story" and "Glory" (which also contained a young Andre Braugher). And, just to round out some interesting Denzel movies, close it up with "Devil In A Blue Dress" (Don Cheadle nearly steals the show!)
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A movie is too quick...
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July 25, 2012, 11:20 a.m. CST
Theme song reminds me of one of John Carpenter’s awesome 70’s/80’s synthesizer themes.
by frank
I want to make a mix of a bunch of those kind of movie and TV theme songs. I could put Axel F on there, too.
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July 25, 2012, 11:28 a.m. CST
I think the problem with all of these new movie versions of old TV shows
by frank
is that they all end up just seeming like generic and forgettable contemporary crime movies. They need to set them in the original time periods from the TV shows and in general try to make them as much like the shows as possible. Otherwise, they should just call the movie something else. Like somebody (LV_426 I think) said that the Miami Vice movie should have been set in the 80’s, and it really should have.
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http://tinyurl.com/bptjv95
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July 25, 2012, 1:06 p.m. CST
Uhhh ck36542 that took me a google search for "Lady Jaqueline Orange Beach Deep Sea Fishing Charters." lol
by MRJONZ72
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July 25, 2012, 1:24 p.m. CST
Queefer - the only special forces guys you know are from a computer game.
by Gary Makin
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so there goes the budget.
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I would love to see Timothy Dalton in the role. The history with Bond would just add to it in the same way Callan did for Edward Woodward. Inteliigence and casting unfortunately do not walk hand in hand and we will get Hollywood drek instead.
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. . . Did I not once read that Denzel and Cruise would be in a battling spies/ espionage flick directed by Cronenberg?
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July 25, 2012, 3:09 p.m. CST
azultool, yeah Equalizer was on A&E in the 90s and I saw Ad Rock in the preview for one show so I watched it
by ajit maholtra
He played a spoiled Manhattan kid who was getting into trouble in the city.
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Or if only MCA were still alive they could just do a feature length Sabotage movie with Spike Jonze. RIP MCA.
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Cocksuckers.
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Sabotage movie would have been great. There's still that biographical film about Beastie Boys with Will Farrell and others that I havent seen yet that looked good.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuCe62Qjy2Y
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....but what exactly makes The Equalizer a sacred cow that it's some kind of outrage when a guy like Denzel Washington is playing a role originated by an obscure, late English actor? Y'all just racist.
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July 25, 2012, 5:32 p.m. CST
I like Denzel, but this is a load of crap. Edward Woodward was the best.
by IronEagle74
This should have been left alone and not made into a movie at all.
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July 25, 2012, 5:39 p.m. CST
Keith Szarabajka, who played Mickey in "The Equalizer," was recently in "The Dark Knight"
by IronEagle74
I recognized him immediately when I went to see that movie.
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denzel became a old british dude when Fox from the movie Wanted became angelina jolie when a persian prince became jake gyllenhaal, when the focus of the movie 21 had the ethnic roles reversed (more like 4 asians and 2 whites), when 90% of the cast for the last airbender wasnt inuit, inidian or asian, when bane was played by a brit, not a south american, when talia al ghul middle easterner was played by frenchie marion cotillard, and to top if off, i guess when johnny depp plays tanto in the lone ranger. need any more examples?
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July 25, 2012, 6:30 p.m. CST
Refn needs to direct the Nightwing movie that is sure to be made
by krabklaw
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Actually, I wrote for Twilight Zone, Outer Limits, Stargate, and others. It is simply amusing if you think I'm a liar--that's fine. There's nothing phenomenal about working in an industry--thousands of others have done as much. But if it sounds like massive braggery to you, you must have accomplished little in your life, and I'm genuinely sorry for you.
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The question of whether his "Englishness" is essential to the role is a different one. My suspicion is that it certainly contributed to the "feel" of the original show, and was a wonderful character touch. But looking at the number of shows that get "ported" from one culture or country to another, I suspect that the real essence of the show was a damaged, lonely, self-contained man who gained a set of lethal skills doing terrible things around the world, and is trying to save his own soul by lending those skills to the helpless, rather than the shadowy powers he used to serve. That's a dynamite premise. I can empathize with your sense that his "Britishness" was the most important thing for you, and hope you are pleasantly surprised. I've seen so many British actors playing Americans and vice versa that I have no doubt that Denzel could do it in an objective sense, but whether the audience would let him out of the "box" they have him in and accept it is a different matter. My guess is that he will be a Yale-educated former CIA burnout seeking redemption. Not a bad equivalent of the original depiction, but we'll have to see. Oh! And I like the Cheech n' Chong reference, dude!
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July 26, 2012, 8:07 a.m. CST
Watching those clips with Ad Rock reminds me why I never used to watch that show. That sucked! Lol
by ajit maholtra
Denzel will be a much better Equalizer.
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July 26, 2012, 8:08 a.m. CST
An old British fart in a trenchcoat fighting crime in New York City. It's sooooooooo stupid
by ajit maholtra
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say what?
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July 26, 2012, 3:44 p.m. CST
No criminal committing a crime in New York would stop and say, Oh no! Here comes that fart on toast from London!
by ajit maholtra
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