We haven’t heard anything aboutThe Equalizer 2since last June, when Sony Pictures set a August 03, 2025 release date for thisaction sequel, which will also be the first ever sequel inDenzel Washington’s legendary career. Today we have confirmation thatThe EqualizerdirectorAntoine Fuquawill also be back to direct, but the release date will most certainly have to be changed. According to producerTodd Black, filming isn’t expected to begin until September 2017.
Todd Black, who also produced this weekend’sDenzel Washington/Antoine FuquaremakeThe Magnificent Seven, spoke withCollider, revealing that the script forThe Equalizer 2has been completed byThe EqualizerwriterRichard Wenk. When asked ifAntoine Fuquawould be back, the producer joked, “Yeah! He better!” before confirming shooting details, revealing that the producer will be working withDenzel Washingtonon another project beforeThe Equalizer 2. Here’s what he had to say below, teasing a new villain for the sequel.
“The script is done. We start shooting right after Labor Day, maybe right before Labor Day depending onDenzel’s schedule. SoEqualizer 2will start shooting in September of next year, maybe earlier depending on another movie that we’re shooting withDenzelbefore that. We’re going to do a little bit more work and we’re going to go into casting right after that for hisnemesis.”
This sequel will mark the fourth collaboration betweenDenzel WashingtonandAntoine Fuqua, followingTraining Day, whichDenzel Washigntonwon an Oscar for,The Equalizerand this weekend’sThe Magnificent Seven.Todd Blackalso shared a story about how he convincedDenzel Washingtonto makeThe Equalizerhis first franchise, something he has always wanted. Here’s what the producer had to say below.
“It helps when you know him really well and you tell him at a nice expensive lunch that this could be his franchise. He’s always wanted to do a franchise, and he liked theBournemovies, the earlier ones. I’ve had a friendship with him for 27 years and we’ve talked about him doing afranchise character, so when my partners and I got the rights toEqualizer, we were like, “Let’s get Denzel to finally do one. This could be the one.” It was never made as a movie and a lot of people didn’t know it was a TV show … but you’ve probably heard the title. He liked the title and I said to him, ‘Let us write it for you and if you like the script, great; if you don’t, we’ll go get another actor.’ So he signed up for that and it worked.”
The producer also revealed that this follow-up may have a sequence that is filmed in the IMAX format. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t offer too many details, but he added how the director shied away from using IMAX onThe Magnificent Seven, but they are considering using it onThe Equalizer 2. Here’s what he had to say below.
“We talked a lot about the IMAX format for [The Magnificent Seven]. It’s expensive.Antoinewasn’t quite comfortable with that, nor were the studios. We did talk about it a lot. We continue to talk about it for Equalizer 2. He has a whole thing that he’s planning onEqualizer 2with this new effect that he’s doing, which I can’t talk about, but it’s frickin' so cool you won’t believe it.”
The Equalizerpulled in $101.5 million domestically and $192.3 million worldwide, from a $55 million budget. It isn’t known ifChloe Moretzor any other stars fromThe Equalizerare planning on returning at this time. With just under one full year until the sequel starts shooting, there is plenty of time to get a cast assembled, so hopefully we’ll have more details regardingThe Equalizer 2soon.
