I have to admit, my knowledge of ’80s TV series isn’t that great, but when you put Denzel Washington into the mix for an adaptation of one of them, you instantly start to get interested.

Variety are reporting that Sony Pictures Entertainment are partnering with Escape Artists to develop an adaptation of The Equalizer, a show which ran back in 1985-89, with Washington attached to star.

The film is to be scripted by Richard Wenk, whose credits include the actioners 16 Blocks, led by Bruce Willis, and the recent The Mechanic remake, led by Jason Statham and Ben Foster, along with the upcoming The Expendables 2, so clearly he’s got a penchant for writing action films.

The Equalizer,

“revolves around a former secret agent who offers his investigative services in order to atone for his past sins.”

Frequent collaborators Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal, and Steve Tisch, who’ve worked with Washington already on the recent The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 remake, will be producing the film.

Washington is naturally one of those actors who needs no introduction, and any news of his upcoming roles will always be welcome. No word yet on a possible director, but with Washington attached, there’s a good chance that we’ll be hearing more news on this in the coming months. The actor is currently filming Robert Zemeckis’ return to live-action in Flight opposite John Goodman, and will next be seen starring alongside Ryan Reynolds in Safe House, which, judging by the trailer, looks pretty damn awesome, and will be with us on 24th February next year.

Their first collaboration hasn’t reached the cinema yet (the prison break thriller The Next Three Days), but director Paul Haggis and Russell Crowe may have another project already lined up – the long awaited adaptation of popular 80’s US TV series The Equalizer.

A few months ago it was reported that Crowe had signed on as the leading man and it was speculated that with a big name on board the project would finally get moving and today’s news is a sign things are moving ahead.

The original show starred Edward Woodward as an aging private investigator-cum-vigilante based in New York, who hid a shadowy history as some kind of British secret service agent.

Out of the recent proposed list of TV remakes, this one sounds like the most promising. The original show was pretty edgy at times and I’m sure both Crowe and Haggis intend to make something similar to this, without resorting to some nostalgic re-hash.

I really hope the makers also produce a new version of the amazing electronic theme tune from the TV show (composed by The Police drummer Stewart Copeland) – a piece of music that really resonates with fellow pop culture  enthusiasts from that era

News courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter.

It was perhaps the late Edward Woodward’s most iconic role, and just a hint of the TV series’ opening theme is enough to have us donning our rose tints and breaking out the Ferrero Rocher.

Now the film adaptation of The Equalizer looks as if it’s moving forward slowly with Russell Crowe stepping into the gumshoes of Robert McCall, a ex-government man whose past is mired in mystery, so much so that he spends his time coming to the rescue of those people who have nowhere else to turn. Like Quincy but with black leather gloves and a predisposition to headbutt his way to answers.

Long on the cards, the Weinsteins have a team developing the project and having Crowe’s name attached will make it easier to find the money, particularly as the 80s have well and truly returned to the cinemas with The Karate Kid and The A-Team making money across the pond.

So, another gritty action thriller with a male lead straddling the line of legality in the pursuit of revenge. Haven’t seen one of those for at least a few months.

The L.A. Times have the story, why not pop your head around the door and say hello?

Sad news is breaking that TV and movie legend Edward Woodward has died at the age of 79.

Though he is perhaps best known for his numerous TV roles, including the awesomeness that was The Equalizer (whose intro is embedded below) Woodward was a versatile actor who bought a stone cold gravitas to each of the roles he played.

For me though it was his leading role in Robert Hardy’s The Wicker Man that was his most impressive. His portrayal of a painfully devout policeman sent to a secluded Scottish Island to solve a series of disappearances is pitch perfect and the infamous denouement is given so much weight by Woodward’s incredible performance.

If you’ve not seen this film please do seek it out (and burn all copies of the Nic Cage remake), and revel in the paranoid riot of mystery and ritual.

Read the BBC’s report here, watch the intro to The Equalizer below and ponder the age old question of why Edward Woodward has 4 Ds in his name.