Denzel Washington evens the score as ‘The Equalizer’
Denzel Washington found there are certain perks to playing a retired government operative trying to live a humble life as a home-store employee.
“They decked out this store (on set) like it was a regular Kmart, including the candy bars at the register,” says Washington of the set of The Equalizer, due out Sept. 26. “There were candy bars I had forgotten about — Nestlé Crunch, even (Hershey’s) PayDays.”
But Washington brought more than his sweet tooth to filming his version of the classic 1980s TV show that starred British actor Edward Woodward. As this generation’s Robert McCall in The Equalizer movie, Washington can instantly bring the heat when he turns vigilante for the helpless.
“There’s a switch that (Washington) turns on and that’s just scary,” says director Antoine Fuqua. “There’s a sustained intensity even in casual mode, like a panther. If it’s turned against you, you’re going to be in a bad place.”
McCall doesn’t want to kill. He goes so far as to fake his own death to get out of the business. But he is pulled back to help a young girl (Chloë Grace Moretz) deal with some nasty people.
Washington says he wasn’t drawn to the movie because of the 1985-1989 TV series, and says he “didn’t really watch” it. But he was intrigued by the script and re-teaming with Fuqua, with whom he won a best-actor Oscar for 2001’s Training Day.
“The title doesn’t mean anything to me. It’s the material,” says Washington. “It’s a classic story, the innocent girl and the guy coming in to save the day and kick some butt. You’ll get some popcorn and escape for a couple of hours.
Fuqua and Washington don’t go “superhero” in the movie. They shot believable action sequences, often performed by the 59-year-old Washington himself. And his director points out that the actor can truly bring it as he demonstrates each training day in the boxing gym.
“He really hits those mitts,” says Fuqua. “And you imagine what he’ll do to you. You might underestimate him. That’s your first mistake.”
Fuqua even was restrained in his use of guns in the film for fear that would detract from Washington’s physical performance.
“His hand-to-hand work is pretty nasty when the monster comes out,” says Fuqua. “We used what was around him. You’d be surprised what he can do with a corkscrew. You’ll never open a bottle of wine the same way again.”
The Equalizer concept still works in 2014 since “people still want humble heroes,” says Fuqua. For Washington, the film allows him to play a relatable, middle-age action hero, a category that respected actors such as Liam Neeson have dominated.
It also gives Washington, nominated for an Oscar for 2012’s Flight, a shot at a potential action franchise similar to Neeson’s Taken.
“The audience will decide that,” says Washington. “You can’t make No. 2 before you make No. 1. It’s called show business. We’ve handled the show part of it. We’ll see how the business part goes.”
In the meantime, Washington is playing to rave reviews on Broadway in A Raisin in the Sun. And he wants to make clear that he’s available for equalizing services for the downtrodden.
“You got some issues?” asks Washington. “I’ll meet you at a discreet place under a bridge. And I’ll take it from there.”
“Oh, and don’t forget those PayDays,” he adds.
