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Denzel Washington + Nicolas Winding Refn = THE EQUALIZER!!
The Kidd here...
With LOGAN'S RUN currently stalled following Ryan Gosling's departure, Nicolas Winding Refn went ahead and found another project to keep himself busy while the search for a leading man continued. Variety reports that Refn will be the guy to take the reins of Sony's big screen adaptation of the 80s TV show THE EQUALIZER, which Denzel Washington has been in front of for quite some time.
Edward Woodward played the lead on the TV series, a role Washington would fill as Sony views this as the start of a potential franchise, built around a former covert ops officer who fights injustice on behalf of those who can't do it for themselves.
THE EQUALIZER has been in development for a decent period of time with Washington on-board, but it's been the directorial search that's been holding up the process as of late. Now that Refn looks to be involved, Sony is hoping to ramp up into production by late Spring, with a script already in place.
-Billy Donnelly
"The Infamous Billy The Kidd"
Follow me on Twitter.
Readers Talkback
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Guy rocks, directorial-wise. Valhalla Rising and all that.
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Dec. 7, 2012, 11:01 p.m. CST
Denzel playing an old crusty white fart from England, directed by the guy who did Drive = Miami Vice
by Bobo_Vision
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Because it rules.
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Refn is a treat for the producers here,this could bring him episode VIII
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That would just be awesomesauce if he committed to it. And ya.. there are plenty of Black people with English Accents, having been born and grown up in England. Notably, Idris Elba. It would be cool to see Denzel try to stretch himself and come across with a passable British Accent for a movie.
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Isn't Person of Interest basically an updated Equalizer? Ah well, that Refn is bouncing from one remake to another remake makes me think he's just trying to establish some studio cred so he can do an original project that actually interests him, if that's the case best of luck, can't wait to see what he's got up his sleeve after the paycheck project.
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Because I like him too much, don't want to see that happen. But anything Refn directs, I'm eager to see.
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But the ONLY reason it worked is because of Robert Woodward. I will state unequivocally that any remake won;t be "the" Equalizer. What wever we get might be OK, mind you, but it won't be "THE" Equalizer. Woodward was fantastic in that role.
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Now, see, that one works because of the two main actors. Cuveeeeezal rocks. I love POI.
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Dec. 7, 2012, 11:35 p.m. CST
This film is called THE EQUALIZER and after you see it, you’ll know the name and what it stands for.
by The_Cellarrat
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Groan
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That's a shame about Gosling bailing on LOGAN'S RUN - that could do with a decent remake (particularly if it is done on the book). Regardless, I could see this with the Denz.
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Dec. 7, 2012, 11:50 p.m. CST
Denzel??? I was REALLY hoping they were going to cast...
by Joe Cranford
...Kevin Costner, because he has a MUCH better English accent.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 12:23 a.m. CST
Leave it to the backward urchins of the aintitcool talkback to say stuff like "blackulizer"
by The Krypton Kid
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Denzel had a crack at plating a Brit once in the 1989 movie FOR QUEEN AND COUNTRY. Here's the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P46rQthxtfU
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Its been awhile since I've seen it.
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I read the script for this one last month. It was good, some really nice character building in the first act. The problem is that the character is such an invisible bad ass that there is no real drama and the last 15 minutes is just ridiculous. The script was in serious need of an "All is Lost Moment".
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I've seen The Equalizer for about a month now.
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It only worked because Edward Woodward played the lead, in what was essentially an unofficial sequel to Callan, one of the greatest British tv shows ever. Why not come up with an original idea and title, Hollywood? Idiots.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 3:35 a.m. CST
Woah! They secured Refn? This movie with a Pusher wibe would rock.
by tradeskilz
Great director and Denzel is, well Denzel. Everyone likes Denzel.
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This film is called THE EQUALIZER and after you see it, you’ll know the name and what it stands for.
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There was a car stereo shop in Danville, Kentucky, called The Equalizer. The words "The Equalizer" on their sign even looked identical to the ones on the tv show. I wondered how they could get away with it. Then I realized, "oh yeah, Danville."
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Dec. 8, 2012, 4:19 a.m. CST
Fish, and plankton, and sea greens and protein from the sea
by macheesmo3
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C'mon...Equalizer opening. You can't fuck with Woodward. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnNb-ZDmUrc
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Dec. 8, 2012, 4:37 a.m. CST
Needs to be cool and sickeningly violent. So I guess Refn is the perfect choice to helm.
by scotty lines
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Dec. 8, 2012, 4:41 a.m. CST
It isn't Robert Woodward, it is Edward Woodward...as in Ed-Wood Wood Wood. What a name. Ed-Wood Wood Wood.
by Sean
That was such a scary show as a kid...the opening credits were giving me nightmares for ages. I think Refn is a good choice as a director. I also appreciate Denzel doing another action role because honestly...i never cared for his acting until Training Day. However, Russell Crowe was developing this at one stage. He would have been better. More than that...Mc Call was and should in the film adaptation be...an unassuming old man in his late 60's...an unlikel;y action hero who actually is a longterm motherfucking cold war era stony faced Uzi wielding bad arse that will shit down your neck.
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He was in his mid 50's when he The Equalizer started.
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That is who I would have gone after if I was the producer. I like Washington just fine, but he already did a "Americanized" version with Man on Fire. Oldman can do wise and compassionate as seen in the latest batman films, but he is also capable of giving the 'it would be a good choice not to cross me' look.
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But he may be a little old and fragile these days, although he did a good job in Harry Brown, which had a similar vibe to The Equalizer.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 5:45 a.m. CST
Washington's McCall will be able to lurk in the shadows much easier than Woodward's.
by buggerbugger
Because, y'know, he's much slimmer.
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if he hadn't done Taken
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especially James Bond
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Dec. 8, 2012, 6:11 a.m. CST
I'm glad this is getting made just so I can buy the soundtrack.
by Tristan
Love the theme song. I hope they bring in Copeland to re-record it (without fucking with it).
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Probably not got the box office clout these days but come on, "Watch the birdy you BAS-tard!"
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Dec. 8, 2012, 6:46 a.m. CST
The thing that made the Equalizer interesting was the implausibility of a 60 year old English Gent taking out street thugs and gangsters, oh and that cool theme tune.
by Bradly Durant
But once again the genius of Hollywood baffles me. So this time we'll have an African American man taking out street thugs and gangsters, but with a remixed version of that theme tune.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 6:46 a.m. CST
Ray Winston: 'I'm the equalizer and i'm 'ere to kill your mobsta, you faakin kants!'
by cameron
Pure Jack Reacher gold.
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March, 6, 2015. With Fox still at the helm, does anyone care?
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...in "For Queen And Country"-it wasn't a very good attempt...
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to. No, I didn't get the script, darn it. But the emphasis of the show, according to the show bible, was that he was an ex-intelligence agent, soured by the things he had done, who decided to use his skills to help people. My impression was that it had been an idea in development for a while, and when Woodward had a deal with (I think it was CBS) they tailored it for him. Clearly it was an oddity (why wasn't he doing this in England?) but that's the way development works--it was an American series. But the details of his life, while crafted to "fit" their new star, were not essential to the story--an ex-intelligence officer. NOWHERE was it critical that he be white. There are plenty of black intelligence officers in England. So even if the "English" part remained crucial, Denzel could play him, with hella fewer changes than Ben Kingsley playing the fucking Mandarin. So...no one who didn't vomit at that idea has the right to complain now.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 7:48 a.m. CST
Wasn't The Equalizer supposed to be a Russel Crowe/Ridley Scott project?
by lv_426
I guess if that were the case, both of them lost interest or were unsatisfied with the script. Maybe Ridley had too many projects in play so Crowe decided to move on instead of waiting around. Either way, when I heard about Crowe being a possible candidate for The Equalizer I thought it was a great idea. Especially if Ridley Scott were directing it. It also seems like Burn Notice ripped off The Equalizer's basic premise, but did it in a lighter tone. I always loved the dark and gritty opening titles for The Equalizer. Besides Miami Vice and the new Twilight Zone, it had the coolest opening title sequence of all the TV shows in the 1980's (bouncing boobs set to bongo drums and pink flamingos takes the cake, Miami Vice for the win).
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And have Mickey Kostmayer and Jimmy cameo as his former Company coworkers. Get William Zabka as a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo too.
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Just because they hired an English actor for the TV show? The film will have an American Equaliser and no dodgy accent.
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If you want a Brit who also happens to be a black man, why not get the real thing and use Elba.The guy is due for a breakout major screen role like this, and would be awesome in it--if anyone has seen "Luther", you know that. Denzel had his turn at this sort of thing with "Man on Fire". Shit, maybe Michael K. Williams could take the part of Mickey Kostmayer (Keith Szarabajka) and it could be a "Wire" reunion as well. I love Denzel, but I'd rather see that than see him rehash "Man on Fire".
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Think it over.
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Bronson, Valhalla Rising & Drive are homeruns in my book, love the style and music/sound design. He's the king of the badass leading man. MOAR!!!!1111
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(wikipedia) In June 2010, Winding Refn stated his interest in directing a Wonder Woman movie with Christina Hendricks to play the titular character.
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It gives you that connection, however tenuous, with the James Bond thing.
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Just finished a THE EQUALIZER first season DVD marathon. Loved the show, but I'm not sure they could maintain the suspense/interest for a whole, full-length movie, no matter who the actor they pick.
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JUST LIKE HE WAS IN ALL HIS RECENT TONY SCOTT FILMS. TRUST ME.
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...gotta be Ray Winstone every time. While we all love Denzel, him playing the role changes the whole dynamic of the premise too far. It's daft, it really is.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 11:21 a.m. CST
You know what's funny? No one even remembering anything about that fucking show...
by Baked
That "Crusty old fart" was about 10 years younger than Denzel Washington is now. And while he may have had a British accent, he worked for the CIA, which is an AMERICAN intelligence agency. Basically, the show was written for an American and they hired a British guy to play the role of an older retired agent. Now they're hiring an EVEN OLDER and MORE AMERICAN actor for the role, and the talkback is shitting itself because the actor's black. But I'll admit, Woodward defined the role with his performance and having another Brit would have felt closer to his performance, but the fact is that half of the Hollywood roles are going to British actors with American accents anyway. Oh well. This is America, after all. "Someone's hating on a black man for no good reason...? Nine A.M. already?"
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Dec. 8, 2012, 11:36 a.m. CST
It's been over a decade since 'Man On Fire,' so I guess Denzel was due for another remake of something.
by Bill C.
What amuses me is that we've also got 'Jack Reacher' coming even sooner, so we're looking at two sides of the same coin. It's okay, though. There's no Tyler Perry in sight, so more power to 'em.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 11:48 a.m. CST
McCall (although having CIA on his resume) was also a vet of the British Army & The SAS...
by obijuanmartinez
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AICN talkback keeping it real. As a huge fan of the show then and still, it seems incongruous at first for McCall to be played by an African American actor. But on second thought that shouldn't be the case. The thing about McCall's character wasn't that he was British, it was Edward Woodward's vocal authority and high status demeanor that gave his character a believable sense of moral outrage, in any scene with a scumbag he could put them right in their place like Sam Waterson on L&O. He had that voice-of-an-angry-God tone. Denzel would actually be really good at that. McCall had been a veteran of the cold war spy battles with the soviets, which made sense that there would be a British agent working in the CIA. Today McCall would be a veteran of the Islamic Terrorism War era which is more of an American conflict. Plus the culture has changed, back in the 80s NYC was a nightmare of violence and Bernard Goetz was a hero to New Yorkers and Americans. Today he is called a racist because he's white and his attackers were black. A modern McCall would get compared to Zimmerman in florida. Casting Denzel means you are free to cast whomever you want as bad guys.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 12:01 p.m. CST
Isnt it kinda hard to be an Equalizer when you're constantly being pulled over by the cops?
by dahveed1972
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Dec. 8, 2012, 12:53 p.m. CST
Unless it's crafted into a more expansive mythology...
by Orbots Commander
...and an ongoing-mystery-story, I'm not sure what's so "franchisable" about the Equalizer property. Sounds like a one-off vigilante actioner.
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The Sequelizer
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g87nDBIyqeU
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He should be the new Equalizer. In the Person of Interest show he practically is the modern Equalizer already.
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Edward Woodward was in a series called Callan where he played an ambiguously heroic apy character. I always felt the Equalizer felt like a follow up to that series.
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Sorry.
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I spilt beer on my keyboard. Buttons are not working well. I obviously meant spy not apy. Whatever, I would prefer Idris Elba as the Equalizer.
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Actually, Washingington is almost exactly the same age as Woodward was when he played the role from 85-89. Also, it was eventually written into the series that Robert MacCall had British Army and SAS training before he joined 'the Agency,' which was not explicitly said to be the CIA, even though it probably was for all intents and purposes.
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Its like a dire made for tv movie. kudos to matthew fox for his amazing transformation, but just seems wasted for this pile of poo.
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Drive was equal parts genius and stupidity, which just pisses me off. Some absolutely GREAT stuff, mixed with shit that was just inane. Look, I work as a stunt performer, and the depiction of the way the car stuff was just... dumb. Its NOTHING like that. However, I can sort of forgive that, because most people might not understand that, but there's other stuff that is completely unforgivable. Ron Pearlman, for example. Car smashed, on the beach. A guy in a mask (that he wears for NO REASON, since nobody ever sees it) coming to kill him. Ron can run right and go up the beach to try to get away. He can run left and go down the beach to try to get away. Or he can run into the water and... try to swim to Catalina I guess. NOBODY would do that. I don't care how rattled he is. Gosling's on the elevator with his girl and a man he's identified as a killer out to murder them. So he turns his back and makes out with her for an interminable period, leaving them both open to be killed. NOBODY would do that. He has a final confrontation with Albert Brooks. He's certainly going to try to take him out, right? Now, I'm willing to accept that Gosling is at peace with dying in order to accomplish that -- but how's he going to do it if he TURNS HIS BACK to the guy when he's approaching the trunk. Yeah, he accomplishes his mission in the end, but it's only because he gets lucky. NOBODY WOULD FUCKING DO THAT. God, it's just so infuriating, when it's juxtaposed with so much other stuff that's just great. The opening non-chase. Brooks killing of Cranston. Argh. And for the love of God, keep him away from Star Wars. I don't understand why anyone would WANT him for that franchise, to be honest -- because even his good work is tonally completely different from SW.
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did lardass have to pay to get into the contest?
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Ooh. Yeah, you got me. An aspect of one story that's irrelevant to its outcome compared with integral parts of another story. Of course, the ones in Drive not only require you to suspend your disbelief, but send it on vacation. You should go back to your debate club and stop picking on me. I don't think I can handle much more.
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even though the series is a couple of decades old, what makes this any different from Person of Interest, Burn Notice, etc?
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Dec. 8, 2012, 6:08 p.m. CST
I'd rather see the blacksploitation ripoff THE FREAKQUILIZER
by Margot Tenenbaum
starring Rudy Ray Moore
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It what would 007 do after retiring, take up gardening? I don't think so. He would have Been the best choice.
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And not hard enough. Thats what made the original show special. It was thee story of an old hard ass spy helping the helpless but he was still ruthless. I have no problem with Denzel as he can be the mean sob the story needs. Denzel just doesn't make vertt many bad movies.
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I believe he put on so much weight that he was referred to at the time as "Edward Pud-pud".
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your father raised you to be a pagan!
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Burn notice.stars a pussy. That's the main difference
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...Repairman Jack! Come on, Hollywood, make it happen.
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Denzel has kind of been there,done that in regards to this kind of character.
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Dec. 8, 2012, 10:59 p.m. CST
"Drive" harkens back to films like "To Live and Die In L.A." where artistic license is used, like neon, to give flourescence to these creatures of the night life. (I understand your vexation, but for me Nicco's drowning in the surf by a man whose life pu
by ChaunceyGardiner
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Dec. 8, 2012, 11 p.m. CST
On Repeat: (I understand your vexation, but for me Nicco's drowning in the pounding surf by a man whose life pursuit has become the avoidance of violence is a powerful moment.)
by ChaunceyGardiner
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Dec. 8, 2012, 11:38 p.m. CST
Be thankful they didn't try to shoehorn Tom Scientology into this as well.
by thound3
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If you put an American in there, it becomes just another asskicker.
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Woodward was 55 when he first started work on The Equalizer, Denzel is 57 (and i suspect he's in better physical shape than Mr Woodward was). I do feel, however, that this role was so perfectly cast that the British-ness is somewhat vital to the lead part. Woodward made it his own and in doing so he has made it difficult (though not impossible) for any other actor to fill his shoes. For the talkbacker who claimed that having a British lead would bring forth similarities to James Bond, i think you're (hopefully) underestimating the audience. I'd like to think that people- even Americans- have the capacity to watch more than one British actor in a leading action role without getting all confused....I don't tend to struggle with that concept when i'm watching one of the hundred American action movies every year.
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Denzel Washington, however, just brings too much baggage to the role, not to mention instant comparison with Man on Fire. This is one of those roles that needs an actor more than it needs a superstar.
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Have the original actors for Kostmayer and Jimmy play his superiors at The Company just before he quits and goes solo and becomes a vigilante for hire. Give him the original glasses (if only as reading glasses), give him an updated but similar Jag, give him the gun and the coat, give him the workshop in his apartment where the wall of power tools hides an arsenal of weapons. If anyone wants a Wire reunion, I'd have Clarke Peters as Control. Hire former guest stars from the show as other characters (and boy was there a great list of them!). And have Callan or Breaker Morant playing on a TV in one scene. I'm sorry but Denzel is like Kevin Costner. He basically plays a version of himself. If he can somehow relate to that character, he's great at it. But if the character is an ill-fit, a stretch, he'll stick out like a sore thumb in it. That's what I fear for this movie remake.
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I agree with you -- but that's a part of my frustration. The problem with that scene is simply one of staging. Just don't give Pearlman the option of running up or down the beach, by choosing a slightly different location, and you're there. Or injure him in the crash enough that Ryan must drag him into the water. But to force him to make a choice that nobody would make just to get that moment is a disservice to the film and to the audience. To me, it's lazy filmmaking. You were a fine presidential advisor, by the way. They could use you in Washington again.
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Dec. 9, 2012, 9:23 a.m. CST
TangCameo, when has Denzel Washington EVER stuck out like a sore thumb in a movie? Really? When was the last you said, "Crap, not watching this, it has Denzel Washington in it"?
by ChaunceyGardiner
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Dec. 9, 2012, 9:23 a.m. CST
Well you know, Darth_Miyamoto, first we have winter ...
by ChaunceyGardiner
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Dec. 9, 2012, 9:26 a.m. CST
Just this year Washington put down one of his best performances yet as Captain Whip Whitaker, a performance I'd easily categorize with Milland's alcoholic writer in "Lost Weekend," a performance Billy Wilder himself realized was Oscar-worthy as soon as th
by ChaunceyGardiner
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...Malcolm McDowell, that's who. No offense to Denzel.
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How is he bald, if his dad wasn't?
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People need to get past this guy can't do it because he's this. How bout the fact that he's a great actor and can play a myriad of roles.
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Was it really all that important in our childhoods?
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One shot- movies rarely work.
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...as he is in everything he does.
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Dec. 9, 2012, 6:18 p.m. CST
That theme tune-- in fact that entire, menacing opening sequence-- was just terrific.
by Nerfee
I'm a child of the eighties. It was on at 9pm and I would stay up late to watch it. I hope Refn keeps the theme tune. It was fucking BOSS. here it is: http://youtu.be/uB1NiNKwueE
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Do a Stingray big-movie adaptation. It was basically Stephen J. Cannell's stab at The Equalizer anyway. Cool Post & Carpenter theme song, and you could haul Nick Mancuso away from those Left Behind and DtVideo movies to play the Robert Vaughn role from that one episode of the original series (Ray's mysterious evil superior), and make it so.
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Remember that show (one season or less I think it lasted) with Michael Madsen as guy, maybe an exspy, who helped people on the promise that they would one day eventually help him with the next guy/gal looking for his help.
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Some movies you forget you're watching Denzel Washington (Training Day, American Gangster) and other movies you fully realize you are watching Denzel Washington because he's not really playing a character, he's just being Denzel Washington.
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Dec. 9, 2012, 7:33 p.m. CST
That was Vengeance Unlimited. I remember liking that quite a bit.
by Sean
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FUCK YEAH!!!
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If he didnt hed be called EWA WOOWA Laugh at the above
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that a remake would force whoever owns the rights to the original show to release the rest of it on dvd. As of right now, only Season One has been released.
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Just like that stupid movie Book of Eli. Also the one where Denzel kidnaps and rapes Dakota Fanning. Is this another movie where Denzel is a tough loner doing things "his way"? Hollywood has never made a movie like that. By the way, who would you rather do, Dakota or Elle?
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Loved that movie!
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Liked the show when it was on, great actor and director attached. I absolutely loved Denzel in the "Man on Fire" remake, if he brings some of that moxie with him I don't care if he speaks with a British accent or not.
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Dec. 10, 2012, 6:33 p.m. CST
Denzel as an English soldier in "For Queen and Country"
by DrManhattansUnit
That made me think of THIS: http://uk.imdb.com/title/tt0097373/
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Dec. 10, 2012, 9:56 p.m. CST
I've seen Denzel Washington playing an English actor for a month now.
by Henri Pouper
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Dec. 10, 2012, 9:58 p.m. CST
Also to everyone saying keep the Stewart Copeland intro music:
by Henri Pouper
HELLZ YEAH
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...by Christina Hendricks' "topless in hotel bathroom" scene in "Drive". I wasn't expecting that.
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Dec. 11, 2012, 11:30 a.m. CST
Refn is a Hollywood sellout. Even Drive is a remake.
by SergeantStedenko
I watched the documentary, 'Gambling', which was about him being in serious debt after the failure of his sophomore film, Fear X, having funded it himself and struggling with having to compromise his artistic integrity, selling out by making 2 sequels to Pusher in order to get out of debt. Well, since then we've seen an English-language version of the original Pusher and now he's remaking Logan's Run, Barberalla and The Equalizer. Seems like he made his peace with selling out.
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