How Old Denzel Washington Was In Each Equalizer Movie

Given how old Denzel Washington was in The Equalizer movies, it makes his role as the action hero all the more impressive. The films are based on the 1980s television show of the same title, which starred Edward Woodward as Robert McCall and ran for four seasons on CBS. Washington took over the role of McCall in the trilogy and put his own spin on the character, resulting in a successful franchise. However, the actor is no stranger to triumphant projects, as he has had a long and lustrous career in Hollywood and is showing no signs of stopping.

To give a sense of the longevity of Washington’s career so far, he is one of only a handful of actors to be nominated for Oscars in five different decades. The Equalizer movies also mark the first franchise for Washington with The Equalizer 3 potentially ending the trilogy. While Washington is certainly young enough for a potential Equalizer 4, his age in each of the movies makes for an impressive action role later in his career.

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The 8 Movies That Defined Denzel Washington’s Career

Throughout Denzel Washington’s acclaimed and varied career, a few select films stand as vital moments that made him the actor he is today.

The Equalizer (2014)

Denzel Washington Was 58 Years Old

The Equalizer premiered on September 26, 2014, but principal photography took place a year prior, from May to September 2013. Denzel Washington’s birthday is on December 28, 1954, meaning he was 58 years old while filming the first entry of the franchise. Action heroes typically are not older than 40, but Washington brought a sense of experience and discipline to the role along with his excellent acting skills.

The Equalizer introduced viewers to Washington’s version of Robert McCall, a former Gunnery Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps and an intelligence officer in the Defense Intelligence Agency. McCall faked his death years prior and tried to live a quiet life following his retirement. However, he was unexpectedly forced to jump back into action to save Alina, played by Chloë Grace Moretz.

Alina was a teenager trafficked by the Russian mafia, and that is when McCall’s vigilante era began. McCall would kill anyone that got in his way. Toward the end of the film, after he defeated the mafia members, he took on the moniker of “The Equalizer,” dedicated to continuing to help others in need.

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The Equalizer 2 (2018)

Denzel Washington Was 62 Years Old

Following the success of the first movie, Sony Pictures ordered a sequel. The Equalizer 2 was released on July 20, 2018, which was almost four years following The Equalizer. Production on the sequel took place in September 2017, meaning that Denzel Washington was 62 years old when he reprised his role as Robert McCall in the second film. Although the actor had reached his sixties by the time filming began, that never slowed him down.

McCall faced another enemy in The Equalizer 2 — a murderer who killed one of his former colleagues from the DIA, Susan Plummer, played by Melissa Leo. McCall moonlighted as a Lyft driver while secretly pursuing his vigilante career as “The Equalizer.” Then his friend died, and he was on a mission to find out who was responsible. The sequel was a commercial success, having accumulated $190.4 million at the box office during its theatrical run (via Box Office Mojo).

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The Equalizer 3 (2023)

Denzel Washington Was 67 Years Old

Although The Equalizer 2 was not received as well as the first film, Sony Pictures charged ahead and ordered a third movie. The Equalizer 3 premiered on September 1, 2023, and principal photography on the second sequel occurred from October 2022 to January 2023. So Denzel Washington was 67 years old when filming began and celebrated his 68th birthday during the production.

It was previously confirmed that the third film would be Washington’s last movie as Robert McCall. However, director Antoine Fuqua claimed that an Equalizer prequel is being considered with either a de-aged Washington as the vigilante or having his son, John David Washington, play the character. Sony Pictures has yet to confirm if a prequel is in the works, but with The Equalizer 3 becoming the highest-grossing entry in the franchise (via Box Office Mojo), they will likely be interested in continuing.

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