New "The Equalizer" Movies in Development

Two more Equalizer movies are currently in the works, with Denzel Washington set to return.

Washington first played former government assassin Robert McCall in 2014, returning for a sequel in 2018 and a third mo ir in 2023. 

"The Equalizer 3" seemed to bring McCall's story to a close, ending with the former government assassin happily retired.

However, there have been rumblings about a potential "The Equalizer 4", with franchise director Antoine Fuqua expressing interest in continuing if Washington was willing to return.

In a recent interview with Esquire, Washington shared the surprising new update on the franchise, though he doesn't provide a development or production timeline regarding the next two installments

The veteran actor, however, does break down his thought process regarding his return as McCall and why the character and the movies resonate with audiences. 

“I told them I would do another Equalizer , and we’re doing four and five . More people are happy about that—people love those daggone Equalizer s," he said. "But I’ve come to realize that the Equalizer films are for me, too, because they’re for the people. They want me to go get the bad guys. ‘We can’t get them, so you go get them.’ And I say, Okay, I’ll get them! Just wait right there. I’ll be right back!”.

The Equalizer 3 ending gave McCall a happy sendoff, and the movie was clearly designed to serve as the conclusion to the saga. 

The entry was talked about and marketed as the last one, with one poster including the phrase: "Witness the final chapter." 

Nonetheless, Fuqua revealed in August 2023 that he was open to returning, telling EW: "Obviously, if [Denzel] wanted to do another one, I would as well, but I don't see it." 

The Equalizer movies have been consistently successful both critically and commercially, with the latest installment grossed $191 million worldwide. 

Washington is nearly 70 years old and has a handful of projects currently lined up, meaning it could be some time before The Equalizer 4 comes to fruition.