Given the trouble they’re having shepherding the movie through development, we wouldn’t be shocked to learn that the producers of The Equalizer are searching the web for their own vigilante to get things moving again. Things looked more hopeful when it appeared Rupert Wyatt might take the job, but now he’s decided to pass.
The job of getting this cinematic version of the character originated by Edward Woodward to the screen has not been an easy one. Paul Haggis flirted with the idea, and there was talk of Russell Crowe possibly starring. Then Nicolas Winding Refn was developing the idea and Denzel Washington was locked in for the lead. But while Washington held firm, Refn didn’t linger.
As for Wyatt? Deadline is reporting that scheduling issues will keep him out of the director’s chair, and that would seem to make sense since he’s committed to finally getting the film of Sebastian Faulks’ Birdsong (itself a victim of long and painful development) made with Nicholas Hoult starring.
So now** The Equalizer **needs yet another new director. Anyone care to offer suggestions?