Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning are reuniting on screen in “The Equalizer 3,” marking a nearly two-decade collaboration since their joint appearance in “Man on Fire.” The 2004 thriller played a pivotal role in propelling Fanning into the spotlight during her early years in the acting realm. Now, as director Antoine Fuqua oversees their reunion, he highlights the sense of a familial connection between the two actors.
Antoine Fuqua, the director behind the Equalizer series, expresses his excitement over reuniting Washington and Fanning for this project. He shares that witnessing their camaraderie both on and off the camera resonates with the familiarity of a father-daughter relationship. Fuqua’s admiration for their dynamic stems from being an avid fan of “Man on Fire.”
“Denzel and I would look at each other [on set], and he would just say, ‘She’s a grown up now,'” Fuqua reminisces about working with Fanning.
In “The Equalizer 3,” Denzel Washington, 68, reprises his role as Robert McCall, a former government assassin. This film concludes the Equalizer trilogy, with McCall heading to Italy to confront the Mafia. Throughout his mission, he forms an alliance with a young CIA analyst portrayed by Fanning. The director highlights how Fanning, now 29, brings a compelling challenge to Washington’s character in their scenes together, emphasizing how enjoyable and gratifying this interaction was.
The journey to this anticipated reunion began when Fanning’s agent expressed interest in the role. Fuqua recalls a lunch meeting with Fanning, during which he was captivated by her, a sentiment he later conveyed to Washington. The two actors’ mutual enthusiasm led to Fanning’s involvement in the project.
Beyond their professional collaboration, “The Equalizer 3” also marks the fifth cinematic endeavor between Fuqua and Washington. Fuqua attributes Washington’s distinct talent for fully embodying his characters as the distinguishing factor that sets him apart in Hollywood. The director elaborates that Washington’s commitment to his roles is unwavering, even if that sometimes means he’s overly eager for action scenes.
“He’s still got it,” Fuqua chuckles. “He trains every day. Sometimes, I’d have to say, ‘Let the stunt guy handle this one.’ But he’d respond with, ‘I’ve got it!’ We need to protect him from himself!”
Washington initially portrayed Robert McCall in the 2014 installment, and his enduring dedication to action sequences remains evident. The director fondly asserts that Washington’s remarkable dedication solidifies his position as one of the industry’s all-time greats.
