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Thursday, March 07, 2013

Wyatt Vacates Big Chair On "The Equalizer" Movie

Rise of the Planet of the Apes helmer Rupert Wyatt has broken off talks to direct the film reboot of the classic 80's TV series "The Equalizer"--Starring Denzel Washington says Deadline.

Wyatt left due to scheduling issues. He joins "Drive" director Nicolas Winding Refn who also left the pic after the deal between Sony Pictures and Refn fell apart at the last minute back in January.


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.

In the movie version, Washington's McCall is living a quiet life while working at a Home Depot, when one of his acts of kindness gets him snared with the Russian mob.

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, and 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.

Sony is hurrying to find a replacement. The film had an April 8th production start date

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