Nicolas Winding Refn is suddenly becoming the go-to guy for big studio projects. Which seems odd, but somehow right. He’s already developing the Logan’s Run remake for Warner Bros., but now Sony has chosen him to make the movie version of The Equalizer.

The film adaptation of the cult 1980s Edward Woodward vigilante show will star Denzel Washington. He’s taking over the role of Robert McCall, a former covert operative that decides to seek redemption for the terrible things he’s done in the past by placing a newspaper ad offering to help people with their seemingly insurmountable problems. Though if it's to be set in the present day, he’ll probably post something on Craigslist.

Richard Wenk has written the script, and from the sounds of it, Equalizer will leapfrog over the head of the troublesome, long-gestating Logan’s Run and is scheduled to start shooting in late spring next year. It’s already been targeted for release in the US on April 11 2014.

And if Refn is able to bring a little of the Drive flavour to The Equalizer, that’s surely no bad thing. Though we doubt Denzel’s going to be picking up a hammer any time soon…