The Equalizer 3

The Equalizer 3 is a 2023 American vigilante action-thriller film directed by Antoine Fuqua. It is a sequel to The Equalizer 2 and the final installment of The Equalizer trilogy, which is loosely based on the television series of the same name. The film stars Denzel Washington, reprising his role as retired U.S. Marine and DIA officer Robert McCall, with Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, Gaia Scodellaro, and Remo Girone in supporting roles. In the film, McCall discovers that his new friends of a small town in South Italy are intimidated by members of the Camorra, where he sets out to free them from their control.

The Equalizer 3
Theatrical release poster
Directed byAntoine Fuqua
Written byRichard Wenk
Based on
The Equalizer
by
  • Michael Sloan
  • Richard Lindheim
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRobert Richardson
Edited byConrad Buff
Music byMarcelo Zarvos[1]
Production
companies
Distributed bySony Pictures Releasing
Release dates
  • August 28, 2023 (2023-08-28) (Rome)
  • September 1, 2023 (2023-09-01) (United States)
Running time
109 minutes[3]
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish[3]
Budget$70 million[4]
Box office$182.7 million[5][6]

Discussions over a third entry to the Equalizer franchise began following its second film release on August 2, 2018. The project was officially announced in January 2022. Filming began on October 10, 2022 on the Amalfi Coast in Italy and continued in the region until November 20, after which it moved to Naples in early December, before wrapping production by January 2023, in Rome. Robert Richardson serves as director of photography on the project, after previously working with Fuqua on Emancipation (2022).

The Equalizer 3 was released in the United States on September 1, 2023 by Sony Pictures Releasing. The film received generally positive reviews from critics and has grossed over $182 million worldwide against a $70 million budget.

Plot

At a secluded winery in Sicily, Robert McCall kills crime enforcer Lorenzo Vitale and his henchmen to obtain a key to the winery's vault and recoup money stolen in a cyber-heist. While leaving the winery, Robert is shot in the back by Vitale's adolescent grandson. Robert considers suicide due to his injury, but finds his gun out of bullets and then takes the ferry to go back to the mainland. While driving on the Amalfi Coast, Robert pulls over and slips into unconsciousness from shock, where he is found and rescued by Gio Bonucci, a local carabiniere.

Bonucci brings him to a remote coastal Italian town called Altamonte, where he is treated by small-town doctor Enzo Arisio. Robert gets acquainted with the locals and becomes fond of the town and its people. Robert makes an anonymous phone call to CIA officer Emma Collins to tip her off about the winery's role in the illegal drug trade disguised as normal business transactions in Sicily. Collins and other CIA operatives arrive at the winery and find millions in cash along with bags of captagon tablets hidden in a storeroom, confirming Robert's suspicions.

Meanwhile, the members of the Camorra harass and kill villagers in an attempt to coerce them out of their housing and take over Altamonte for commercialization purposes. Robert overhears Marco Quaranta, a high-ranking Camorra member, pressurising local store owner Angelo for payments. To make an example, the Camorra firebombs Angelo's fish store as the entire town watches. Bonucci reviews video of the firebombing and calls the Italian central police for an inquiry. Along with his wife and daughter, Bonucci is later attacked by the Camorra and beaten for interfering in their operations.

Sometime after, Marco demands that Bonucci set up a boat for them; overhearing them, Robert requests them to move their operations to a different location. When Marco refuses, Robert kills him and his henchmen. The Naples head of police is threatened and tortured by Vincent, Marco's brother and head of the Camorra, to find the person behind Marco's death. Vincent has Collins' car rigged with a bomb, but she survives after Robert warns her. Vincent later threatens to shoot Bonucci in front of the entire town if Robert does not reveal himself. Robert does, but before Vincent can kill him, the citizens begin to record the ordeal, causing Vincent and the rest of the Camorra to retreat with plans to retaliate the following day.

Later that night, Robert infiltrates Vincent’s home and stealthily kills his bodyguards. Then, Robert forces Vincent to take a lethal dose of his own drugs to kill him. Through Collins, Robert returns the money he had taken from the winery to an elderly couple's pension fund. Back in Langley, Virginia, Collins receives a promotion for her role in ending the Altamonte drug trade. She finds a note from Robert congratulating her, and declaring her mother would be proud of her - revealing Collins to be the daughter of Robert’s longtime friend and colleague Susan Plummer. With the Quaranta brothers dead, Robert celebrates with the locals after their team wins a football tournament.

Cast

Production

Development

In August 2018, Antoine Fuqua announced his plans to continue the film series. The filmmaker expressed interest in the plot taking place in an international setting.[7]

By January 2022, a third film was officially confirmed to be in development, with Denzel Washington returning in the titular role.[8][9][10][11] Washington was paid $20 million for his involvement.[12] In June 2022, Dakota Fanning was announced to have been cast as well.[13] By November 2022, Sonia Ben Ammar, Andrea Dodero, Remo Girone, Eugenio Mastrandrea, Daniele Perrone, Andrea Scarduzio, and Gaia Scodellaro were added to the cast.[14]

Filming

Principal photography began on October 10, 2022 on the Amalfi Coast in Italy.[15] Filming continued in the region until November 20, after which it moved to Naples in early December, before wrapping production by January 2023, in Rome.[15] Fuqua once again served as director, with Washington announcing that it would be his next movie.[16][17] Robert Richardson serves as director of photography on the project, after previously working with Fuqua on Emancipation.[18]

Music

Soundtrack
The Equalizer 3 (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Soundtrack album by
Marcelo Zarvos
ReleasedSeptember 1, 2023 (2023-09-01)
GenreFilm score
LabelMadison Gate Records
ProducerMarcelo Zarvos
Main article: The Equalizer 3 (soundtrack)

In May 2023, Marcelo Zarvos was roped in to score the film's music after previously collaborating with Fuqua in Brooklyn's Finest (2009), What's My Name: Muhammad Ali (2019), The Guilty (2021) and Emancipation (2022).[19] He replaced Harry Gregson-Williams, who scored the previous instalments in the trilogy as well as Fuqua's The Replacement Killers and Infinite.

Release

The Equalizer 3 was released by Sony Pictures Releasing on September 1, 2023 in both conventional formats and IMAX.[20] It received a release on premium video on demand formats on October 3, 2023.

Reception

Box office

As of October 23, 2023, The Equalizer 3 has grossed $91.6 million in the United States and Canada, and $91.1 million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $182.7 million.[5][6]

In the United States and Canada, The Equalizer 3 was projected to gross $28–30 million from 3,965 theaters in its opening weekend, and a total of $33–40 million over the four-day Labor Day frame.[4] The film made $13.1 million on its first day, including $3.8 million from Thursday night previews, up from the totals of the first ($1.5 million) and second ($3.1 million) films. It went on to debut to $34.6 million (and a total of $42.8 million over the four days), topping the box office and marking the second-best Labor Day weekend of all-time, after Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (2021).[21] In its second weekend, the film fell 65% to $12 million, finishing second behind newcomer The Nun II.[22]

Its biggest territories outside the United States and Canada were the United Kingdom ($7.9 million), Australia ($4.8 million), and Spain ($3.2 million).

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 75% of 158 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 6.2/10. The website's consensus reads: "Another entertaining outing from Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington, The Equalizer 3 mostly makes up for its formulaic story with generous helpings of cathartic action."[23] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 58 out of 100, based on 38 critics, indicating "mixed or average" reviews.[24] Audiences surveyed by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "A" on an A+ to F scale, same as the previous installment, while those polled at PostTrak gave it a 90% overall positive score, with 72% saying they would definitely recommend the film.[21]

The Independent's Clarrise Loughrey gave the film 3/5 stars, writing, "At its best – and The Equalizer 3 is about as good as the first film – it neatly counterbalances Fuqua's baroque, blood-and-guts action with Washington's ability to command attention while sitting perfectly still."[25] The Sunday Times's Tom Shone also gave it 3/5 stars, writing, "Whether enjoying a cappuccino, flirting with a waitress or snapping men's forearms, Washington makes it all seem like a movie star enjoying a midlife dolce vita moment."[26] Kyle Smith of The Wall Street Journal wrote, "For those who can tolerate extreme violence, The Equalizer 3 is diverting enough. If the script is so-so, the beautiful Italian locations, Mr. Washington's still-world-class charm and an eerie, frightening musical score by Marcelo Zarvos lift it."[27]

Potential future

In August 2023, Fuqua stated that there have been discussions to develop a prequel movie detailing the origins of Robert McCall.[28] The filmmaker stated that using de-aging technology to make Washington appear younger is an option,[28] while he would also consider casting John David Washington or Michael B. Jordan in the role.[29] Later that month, Fuqua stated that while The Equalizer 3 was talked about internally as the final film chronologically, he would be interested in returning as director for a future installment if Denzel Washington was interested in returning to the role.[30]

See also

References
  1. "Marcelo Zarvos to Score Antoine Fuqua's 'The Equalizer 3'". Film Music Reporter. May 4, 2023.
  2. Keslassy, Elsa (November 1, 2022). "Sony, Tarak Ben Ammar's Eagle Pictures Ink Distribution, Co-Production Pact". Variety. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
  3. "The Equalizer 3 (15)". BBFC. August 15, 2023. Retrieved August 15, 2023.
  4. Rubin, Rebecca (August 30, 2023). "Box Office: Denzel Washington's Equalizer 3 Targets $35 Million-Plus Debut Over Labor Day Weekend". Variety. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  5. "The Equalizer 3". Box Office Mojo. IMDb. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  6. "The Equalizer 3". The Numbers. Nash Information Services, LLC. Retrieved October 24, 2023.
  7. Holmes, Adam (August 2, 2018). "Will The Equalizer 3 Happen? Here's What Antoine Fuqua Says". CinemaBlend. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  8. Morales, Wilson (January 12, 2022). "Exclusive: Denzel Washington Will Start Shooting The Equalizer 3 With Antoine Fuqua In 2022". Black Film and TV. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  9. Welk, Brian (January 12, 2022). "Denzel Washington to Return for 'The Equalizer 3,' Antoine Fuqua in Talks to Direct". The Wrap. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  10. Colangelo, BJ (January 12, 2022). "The Equalizer 3 Already Has A Script, And Denzel Washington Is Returning To Star". /Film. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  11. Dick, Jeremy (January 12, 2022). "The Equalizer 3 Is Denzel Washington's Next Film: 'I Get to Beat People Up Again'". MovieWeb. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  12. Lang, Brent; Donnelly, Matt; Rubin, Rebecca (July 20, 2022). "Inside Movie Stars' Salaries: Joaquin Phoenix Nabs $20M for Joker 2, Tom Cruise Heads to Over $100M and More". Variety. Archived from the original on July 20, 2022. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
  13. Kroll, Justin (June 15, 2022). "Dakota Fanning Reunites With Man On Fire Co-Star Denzel Washington In Sony's Equalizer 3". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved June 15, 2022.
  14. Grobar, Matt (November 23, 2022). "'The Equalizer 3' Adds Six To Cast". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  15. "Denzel Washington, 67, walks with a cane as he's seen for the first time on the set of The Equalizer 3 in Italy reprising his role as a vigilante". October 9, 2022. Retrieved October 22, 2022.
  16. Holmes, Adam (January 12, 2022). "Denzel Washington Has An Exciting Update On What's Happening With The Equalizer 3". CinemaBlend. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  17. Northrup, Ryan (January 12, 2022). "Denzel Washington Confirms The Equalizer 3 Starts Filming This Year". Screen Rant. Retrieved March 4, 2022.
  18. Fleming, Mike Jr.; Kroll, Justin (January 18, 2023). "'Emancipation's Antoine Fuqua To Direct Michael Jackson Biopic For Lionsgate; John Logan Script & 'Bohemian Rhapsody's Graham King Producing With Estate". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 18, 2023.
  19. "Marcelo Zarvos to Score Antoine Fuqua's 'The Equalizer 3'". Film Music Reporter. Archived from the original on May 31, 2023. Retrieved September 23, 2023.
  20. D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 20, 2022). "'Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse' Heads To Summer 2023; Sony Dates 'Equalizer 3' Among Other Release Changes". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 21, 2022. Retrieved April 20, 2022.
  21. D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 3, 2023). "'Equalizer 3' Notches Second-Best Opening Ever At Labor Day Box Office With $42M; Summer Clicks Past $4 Billion". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 3, 2023.
  22. D'Alessandro, Anthony (September 10, 2023). "'The Nun 2′ Answering Exhibitors' Prayers During Strikes With $32M+ Opening – Box Office Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  23. "The Equalizer 3". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
  24. "The Equalizer 3". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved September 7, 2023.
  25. Loughrey, Clarisse (August 31, 2023). "Denzel Washington shoots his way through Italy in the gory Equalizer 3 – review". The Independent. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  26. Shone, Tom (September 10, 2023). "Passages and the best films reviewed this week". The Sunday Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  27. Smith, Kyle. "'The Equalizer 3' Review: Denzel Washington's Sicilian Slaughter". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  28. Flood, Alex (August 23, 2023). "Antoine Fuqua considered de-aging Denzel Washington for 'The Equalizer' origin story". New Musical Express. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  29. Seigh, Steve (August 24, 2023). "(Exclusive) Equalizer Prequel: Antoine Fuqua thinks John David Washington would be a cool young Robert McCall". JoBlo. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  30. Collis, Clark (August 29, 2023). "Director Antoine Fuqua would make The Equalizer 4 'if Denzel wanted to do another one'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
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