In ‘Equalizer 3,’ Denzel Washington’s Assassin Goes To Italy

For years, director Antoine Fuqua has wanted to take The Equalizer abroad. The action franchise (loosely inspired by a 1980s television series) starring Denzel Washington as the reluctant assassin Robert McCall had humble origins in Boston. But, with two films and $382.7 million in box-office receipts in the previous decade, the moment looked right.

“Denzel is an international movie star,” Fuqua said, according to The Associated Press. “We thought seeing a man of color in a more international story would be nice.” Why not travel the world with this character? Fortunately, Sony liked the concept.”

And just one country was ever really considered: Italy. Fuqua said he has been going to Washington every summer since his children were babies. He adores the culture, the people, and the cuisine. He can even communicate in Italian.

“He just feels right there,” remarked Fuqua.

And for Fuqua, getting to shoot in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios and tread in the footsteps of Fellini and so many other greats was the stuff of filmmaking dreams. They discovered a truly 1970s New York grit in Naples, which required little to no production design for a critical showdown. And on the Amalfi coast, they discovered the lovely Atrani, the small village of their and McCall’s thoughts.

It’s the kind of location you’d think someone like McCall (or anyone) would feel immediately connected to and protective of, which is exactly what occurs in “Equaliser 3,” which opens in theatres nationwide on Friday. The difference is that McCall is more positioned to take on the Camorra. Of course, solely on my own.

“When we went to that small town, we knew it was the place,” Fuqua explained. “The people were so lovely; we were sitting around, and they kept bringing us coffee and espresso.” We didn’t even request it. Or, because it was so hot, huge lemons. You fall in love with the people in a place like that.”

For years, director Antoine Fuqua has wanted to take The Equaliser abroad, starring Denzel Washington.

The steps were the only source of contention, which isn’t a complaint. One of Atrani’s gems is a medieval chapel set on the mountainside high above the beach, which they believed would be ideal for a key sequence involving McCall and Dakota Fanning’s CIA analyst. The only way to get there is to climb almost 700 steps. It wasn’t a comfortable journey with all the equipment needed to shoot a scene, but it served as a nice reminder of Fuqua’s and his cinematographer, three-time Oscar winner Robert Richardson,’s objective. They wanted to show a real location, not a vacation spot.

“It’s not a travelogue,” Fuqua pointed out. “The Mediterranean is beautiful, but it’s also real life for the people there.” Fishermen subsist on what they catch. They live in cramped quarters. Every day, they stroll up those steps.”

The film assembles a core team with decades of experience, including producers Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal. In addition to the “Equaliser” films, Fuqua directed Washington in “Training Day,” which earned him his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and the latest adaptation of “The Magnificent Seven.”

Black has produced all of Washington’s films and several others. Washington introduced Black and Fuqua for the first “Equaliser,” which everyone anticipated would be a single film rather than a franchise.

“When you’re making a film, you can’t think about franchises or awards.” “If you’re making a movie to win an award, or even to be nominated for an award, or to have a franchise, you’re probably dead in the water going in,” Black remarked. “Not 100% of the time, but you shouldn’t think that way.”

Instead, they approached it script by script and “let the audience decide.” The audience appeared to enjoy seeing Washington as McCall more than once. Both the first and second films grossed more than $190 million apiece on production budgets of less than $65 million, and Sony was interested in a third. It also helped that Black and Fuqua had become friends, with the invaluable trust that comes with it. Both know that everything on their projects will be secure and managed, whether dealing with an unexpected fan situation for their star or ensuring that shooting in Naples at night is not too dangerous.

For years, director Antoine Fuqua has wanted to take The Equaliser abroad,starring Denzel Washington.

“We’ve never had an incident at our movies because we are so vigilant,” added Black. “And Antoine really protects actors.”

Now, Black and Fuqua are in the rare position of having to be the principal voices advertising “Equaliser 3” in place of their movie stars, who, along with Hollywood writers, are on strike. While some films launched without a star’s late-night quips and red carpet appearances have struggled at the box office in the last month, Black is confident in “Equaliser 3.”

“I have other movies that will need my actors to promote them, but everyone knows Denzel Washington is the ‘Equaliser,'” Black explained. “We’re very confident, thanks to Antoine for creating such a beautiful film that works and audiences have embraced so far.” We’re in fantastic form.”

Both miss having Washington by their sides on the press trip. According to Black, the 68-year-old singer is much “mellower” today than he was years ago and is a pleasure to do publicity with. Fuqua also noted that McCall in “Equaliser 3” may reflect where Washington is in his life. Both are more calm and patient than the other.

“He’ll call me and Todd at 4 a.m. to look at the sunrise,” Fuqua explained. “Denzel wasn’t there before. It’s good to watch him slow down and appreciate life.”

SOURCE – (AP)