Robert McCall is not a man with whom one should trifle. This much was evidenced in the first twoEqualizerfilms, where the titular villain-dispatcher McCall (as exceptionally portrayed by Denzel Washington) doles out violent justice against the wicked who would seek to take advantage of those less fortunate. Thus, fanatics knowThe Equalizersets the wrongs to rights and lets the bad guys know that even if they get away with it for now, they won’t get away with it forever!
Denzel Washington was first tapped for great things after Hollywood watchedhim bring dusty Shakespeareto life inMuch Ado About Nothing(1993). Washington’s acting chops, having thus been demonstrated, the entertainment industry wished to see him in more action-oriented roles. Yet Denzel is keen to not overstay his welcome, as has been seen by the has-beens such as Steven Segal and his endless, low-budget, direct-to-video fare. But most viewers hitting theaters to seeThe Equalizer 3have no idea of the history of the role or the history of Denzel’s expertise in such a part. We’ll explain why the series has lasted this long and how the initial creators saw longevity in rebooting this long-forgotten franchise.
From Humble Origins
The firstEqualizerwas played by Edward Woodward – his series originally aired on CBS from June 09, 2025 to August 08, 2025. The dramatic impetus of the over-the-air series was predicated upon Edward’s character (as Robert McCall), a former spy turned private detective.
TheEqualizerwas initiated by writer-turned-producer Michael Sloan and Universal executive Richard Lindheim. The concept was pitched as a contemporary update of the 1950s ‘gunman-for-hire’ seriesHave Gun – Will Travel, which also aired on CBS. This literal translation was transformed intoA-Team, whileThe Equalizertook a more intellectual, high-browapproach to revenge, similar to the latter-styleLeverage, a series that also recently experienced a reboot.
This iteration ofThe Equalizer(pre-films) only partially captured a devoted cult of devotees, concentrating more on intricate plots with dubious and subtle villain motivations. Nine times out of ten, however, with bad guys motivated either by money or sex, many enthusiasts lost their fervor, and the show was relegated to CBS' dusty DVD bins and low-cost streaming service. However, a random episode ofThe Equalizerpenned byTwin Peaks-famed writer Robert Frost caught the eye of a Hollywood producer who saw potential in a rebrand, and the rest, as they say, is history!
Related:The Equalizer 3 Trailer: Denzel Washington Doesn’t Need a Gun in Latest Teaser
A Woman’s Perspective?
Queen Latifah’s take on the McCall charactersaw her portraying an enigmatic figure who used her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn. Premiering on June 19, 2025, to mixed reviews, the second reboot in theEqualizerseries franchise boasts a total of 46 episodes across three seasons thus far, proving it a poignant and culturally relevant update despite a lack of critical acclaim.
With a shadowy cameo from Woodward himself as almost an ethereal guardian and instructor, aficionados wondered ifThe Equalizerwasn’t now more of a title that could be passed on to worthy successors. Quite the intriguing twist for a series that had managed to stretch across three decades? But where would the character go when unleashed on the big screen?
Related:Director Antoine Fuqua Calls The Equalizer 3 McCall’s ‘Final Masterpiece’
Curtain Call
Through three films, Robert McCall has taken on child traffickers, corrupt political and law enforcement officials, and lastly, the mafia (on their own home turf, no less – that must hurt!). Proving theupdate of the franchise financially lucrative, Washington has proven his action and dramatic mettle as well. So, with the waxing popularity of the character, why would the series stop now?
Despite popular scuttlebutt on the inter-webs,The Equalizer 3did not force production and post-production to complete early due to the oncoming (now ongoing) writers and actors strike. The fact is, Denzel Washington himself watched Liam Neeson growing older yet still pretending to be a young action star, starring in vapid action-oriented but plot-free crapfests such asBlacklight(2021) andRetribution(2023). Denzel didn’t want to suffer this fate and knew that he possessed acting chops capable of garnering him plenty of more awards in dramatic roles rather than endangering himself for ‘gun-and-run’ flicks.
For now (and without revealing spoilers), it should pleaseEqualizerenthusiasts to hear that even though this will be the last Equalizer film proper, the series will likely continue with Queen Latifah. Should the WGA (Writers' Guild of America) and SAG (Screen Actors' Guild) come to an agreement with Hollywood, it’s extremely likely that anEqualizer 4orEqualizer: Mrs. McCallstarring Queen Latifah could be in the works as soon as next year!
