The Equalizer 4: Everything we know

Fans of the Equalizer franchise are eager to learn if Denzel Washington will ever return for an Equalizer 4. But don’t expect a release date anytime soon (if ever) – the sequel seems unlikely, though not improbable.

Set in modern-day Boston, The Equalizer is a reboot of the famed ’80s series of the same name. It follows former Marine and DIA agent Robert McCall as he reluctantly puts a stop to a Russian mob’s sex trafficking ring, which puts him in the sights of its psychotic overseas enforcer.

The Equalizer is one of the best Denzel Washington movies and is hailed as one of the best action movies of all time. The first entry was a tremendous success; despite receiving mixed reviews from critics, it raked in about $200 million at the box office, which led to its action-packed sequel debuting in 2018.

The Equalizer 3 is the “final chapter” in the series and has since been a hit on Netflix following the streaming release date, so some fans may be wondering: is there going to be an Equalizer 4?

Will The Equalizer 4 happen?

According to director Antoine Fuqua, The Equalizer 4 is unlikely to happen.

Sony Pictures

Fuqua told Digital Spy, “I would say no. I think this is it.” This carries on from Denzel Washington’s comments at CinemaCon 2023, stating [via ET], “This is the end for me. It may not be the end, they may do another one, but it’s the end for me.”

The filmmaker went on to explain that neither he nor Washington considered The Equalizer to be a long-running movie franchise. “It is a part of a franchise, but it’s a film on its own,” he said. “So we dealt with it that way. That’s what we talked about. Just this film, we don’t talk about one and two.”

Fuqua has previously said he’d consider returning for a fourth movie, but only if Washington would reprise his role. “I believe this would be it. We’ve both talked about it that way. But you never know,” he told Total Film.

Does The Equalizer 4 have a release date?

The Equalizer 4 doesn’t have a release date, as there are currently no plans for it.

Given the four-to-five-year gaps between the rest of the movies, we’ll likely be waiting a while on another installment in the franchise, regardless if Washington is back as McCall or if it’s a prequel.

We’ll keep this space updated with any new information.

The Equalizer 4 cast: Who’d be in it?

We don’t have an official cast for The Equalizer 4 because it hasn’t been announced. You would assume Denzel Washington would have to be a part of it for the project to work, though.

CBS

If it ever happened, perhaps Washington would reprise his role as Robert, unless it’s a prequel or another character altogether carrying the mantle.

If it were a prequel, Fuqua does have some ideas, telling JoBlo in 2023 that he thinks a prequel would make sense. “I think it’s a really good idea to do that and go back,” Fuqua told JoBlo. “You can get Michael B. Jordan or somebody to be the young McCall.”

When asked about potentially casting Denzel’s son, John David Washington, as young McCall, Fuqua replied, “Even better, right? Wouldn’t that be amazing? That’s a good idea! How cool would that be, man?”

There’s another vague possibility: a crossover of some form with The Equalizer TV show, with Queen Latifah making her big-screen debut as Robyn McCall. The characters aren’t related — at least right now — but the star has spoken about the chances of the two worlds colliding.

“That’s up to D. It’s really between him and Antoine. Obviously, I love him to pieces. I have the greatest amount of respect for him. What he’s done with the films has been incredible, and I’d be more than happy to connect with him on any level. It’s just kind of like that with us,” she told Variety.

“So, who knows what’s gonna happen? Who knows what could happen, but, I’m looking forward to whatever he’s gonna do, because I know when he gets in the zone, it gets in the zone. I’m gonna keep doing TV’s Robyn McCall and let him keep rocking the movie version of McCall; I know we’ll both continue to deliver.”

The show’s creator, Andrew Marlowe, also told Decider that “it’s not anything that we’ve really talked about… we are here creating our own universe. Is there a potential that there could be a crossover universe in the future? We certainly haven’t ruled that out.”

However, the series has different priorities. “For us, it really is about building this show and identity around Robyn McCall and being very specific to a show where Queen is embodying the heart of it,” he added.

The Equalizer 4 plot: What would it be about?

There’s no planned story for The Equalizer 4, but a prequel looking at McCall’s time as a marine could be fun.

The third movie ends with McCall retiring from his life of vengeance and justice in southern Italy. The mafia has been dismantled, and nobody needs his help – he’s at peace.

However, part of the story concerns Syrian terrorists who’ve been selling drugs to the mob to fund their terrorism – and now they don’t have a buyer, and one has to imagine they’ll be a bit annoyed. So, a fourth movie could see them arrive on Italian shores to get revenge on McCall.

He also struck up a new friendship with Emma Collins (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of Susan and Bill Plummer, his former DIA colleagues. What if she needs his help with a case that requires his particular set of skills? Something off-books, something violent.

And then there’s the possibility of a prequel, which opens up a whole other side of McCall’s past — we could see his time as a Marine or any one of hundreds if not thousands of confidential operations.

That’s everything we know about The Equalizer 4. Until then, check out our The Equalizer 3 review. Equally (sorry), check out even more movies to stream this month, and the best movies of 2024 so far.