Denzel Washington To Play THE EQUALIZER?

 

Recently, Sony Pictures and Escape Artist have come together and put out some decent films. The Pursuit of Happyness and Seven Pounds to name a few.  Today it was announced, over on comingsoon, that the two companies are going to continue to make films together. 

One of the films in the works between the two is a movie version of the 1980’s TV show The Equalizer. The film will star Denzel Washington as Robert McCall, a former spy turned private detective.  I remember my parents watching this show when I was younger, and after reading about it, I think I am going to have to check it out myself.  Here is a brief synopsis, from IMDB, of the show to give you an idea of what we can expect:

Robert McCall is a tough-as-nails, no-BS private eye who went into business for himself after leaving the shadowy agency he once worked for. McCall works on behalf of those whose problems the police cannot - or will not - get involved in. His card reads, 'Got a problem? Odds against you? Need help? Call - The Equalizer'. Through 4 seasons, Robert McCall went up against some of the worst elements that New York City had - including gangs, mobsters, crooked cops, vigilantes, stalkers and even psychopathic stockbrokers

I know that DW has played roles like this before, but he does them so well.  If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. 

For those of you who are interested in what other projects are in the work here is the whole announcement. Enjoy and let us know what you think!

Sony Pictures Entertainment has extended its first-look non-exclusive deal with Escape Artists, the independently financed film and television production company headed by partners Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, it was announced today by Amy Pascal, co-chairman of Sony Pictures Entertainment, and Doug Belgrad, president of Columbia Pictures. The three-year deal renews Sony Pictures' relationship with the company, which has been headquartered at the studio since 1998.

Recent Escape Artists films for Sony Pictures include The Pursuit of Happyness, Seven Pounds, and The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3. Among its current projects, the company is partnering with Mandate Pictures and Management 360 to produce 
Great Hope Springs, starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell, which Sony Pictures will distribute with MGM in North America next December.

Escape Artists has several other projects currently in development with Sony Pictures, including:

- 
Sex Tape, with Nicholas Stoller attached to direct and Jason Segel attached to star

- A feature film adaptation of the hit 1980s television series "The Equalizer," to be written by Richard Wenk. The project is being developed with Denzel Washington in mind to star and Alex Siskind is partnered with Escape Artists to produce. Washington previously starred in Escape Artists' The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 and starred in and directed Antwone Fisher and The Great Debaters for producer Todd Black.


- 
Masters of the Universe, based on the popular Mattel toyline, which the company is developing for Columbia Pictures.

- How To Disappear Completely, written by Ed Solomon and based on the Swedish film Vitus.

The company also has projects set up at other studios, including:

- I Want to _ Your Sister, a comedy written by Melissa Stack which is set up at Paramount Pictures. 

- Rumspringa, a comedy written by Shauna Cross set up at Fox 2000. 

- Gospel for Teens, based on a 60 Minutes segment that will be produced with Chris Meledrandi and Illumination Entertainment at Universal.

Commenting on the announcement, Pascal said, "We have been partners with Todd, Jason, and Steve for more than a decade and we trust them implicitly for a simple reason: they have first-rate taste. They carefully choose the projects that they want to make and they have a very focused and disciplined development process. We couldn't be more thrilled to continue our collaboration with them." 

Belgrad added, "Escape Artists is one of our most valued producing partnerships. They make incredibly smart choices in the way they develop, package and produce movies. Steve, Todd and Jason make high quality, commercial films and they are a true joy to work with."

In a joint statement, Black, Blumenthal, and Tisch added, "Sony Pictures has been our home since 1998, and we couldn't ask for better partners who share our taste. We have always been treated like part of the family – Amy, Michael, Doug, and the outstanding marketing and distribution teams are always there offering us a tremendous amount of support and the resources to do our job. As producers, you couldn't ask for a more collaborative and smart studio crew. It's a great feeling to know we'll be continuing to do work with them through 2015."

ESCAPE ARTISTS is an independently financed motion picture and television production company with a first look non-exclusive deal at Sony Pictures Entertainment, headed by Partners Steve Tisch, Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal. In 2001, Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal's Black & Blu merged with the Steve Tisch Company to form Escape Artists.

McMurphy Out! 

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