It’s been a few months since we last heard about plans to turn the 1980s Edward Woodward TV The Equalizer into a movie. Russell Crowe had been attached to tthe lead role, but it now appears he’s out and Denzel Washington is in, according to the film’s production company, Escape Artists.

Also off the project is Crash writer/director Paul Haggis, who’s been replaced in the screenwriting chair by Richard Wenk. All previous attempts to make an Equalizer movie – and there have been many – have got stuck in development hell due to differences of opinion over the tone of the movie (after all, there’s virtually no reason to make an Equalizer film, so finding a worthwhile script has always been tough), and it seems this version is have just as many issues.

The original series followed Robert McCall, who had a murky past working for an agency where he had to do terrible things. Seeking redemption, he left ‘The Company’ behind and set himself up as a private detective, each week helping those who the police can not – or will not – assist, while also dealing with his former boss and colleagues.

At the moment Washington is only loosely attached, so don’t be shocked if he bails too.

General movie news courtesy of Movie Muser