Friday, December 07, 2012

Winding Refn Wins "The Equalizer" Film

Nicolas Winding Refn ("Drive") has been hired by Sony Pictures to helm its update of the classic 80's TV series "The Equalizer"--Starring Denzel Washington says THR.


Edward Woodward starred in the 85-89 series about Robert McCall, a former operative of a covert intelligence organisation who seeks redemption for his dark past via offering his services to those being persecuted and in need of help. McCall brings justice to various baddies, killers, drug dealers, rapists on the streets of New York City. He also performed assignments for the head of his former organisation and dealt with his estranged son.

The film is to be scripted by Richard Wenk, whose credits include the actioners 16 Blocks, with Bruce Willis, and the recent Mechanic remake starring Jason Statham and Ben Foster, along with the upcoming The Expendables 2.

Budgeted at a lean $50 million, the project is being seen as a potential franchise launcher. Winding Refn beat out the likes of Pierre Morel ("Taken"), Gavin O'Connor ("Warrior") and Gareth Evans ("The Raid") for the gig.

Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, Steve Tisch, Alex Siskin, Mace Neufeld, Tony Eldridge, Michael Sloan (the show’s original co-creator), and Washington are gonna produce.

The film has an April 8th production start date.

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