Netflix Says Goodbye to Denzel Washington's Fan Favorite Action Franchise Actorsvaultpro

Denzel Washington’s iconic action franchise is about to take its quest for vengeance elsewhere, as Netflix will say goodbye to the classic action series. While it might not be his go-to genre anymore, Denzel Washington was once an action icon. Training Day, The Bone Collector, The Magnificent Seven, Déjà vu, American Gangster, and the insanely underrated Book of Eli, are all fan favorites. But, when it comes to Denzel Washington’s action outings, there’s a clear fan-favorite. The Equalizer, and its sequel, The Equalizer 2, helped to cement Washington as an action star. But, Robert McCall’s violent mission is about to leave Netflix.

The Equalizer and The Equalizer 2 will leave Netflix on October 1. Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film is based on the CBS crime series that aired between 1985 and 1989. While the original starred Edward Woodward as the eponymous “Equalizer,” Washington took over for the film trilogy, and took the franchise to new heights. The Equalizer opened in theaters in 2014 and was a major hit. It grossed $192 million worldwide, and earned decent reviews from audiences and critics (61% on Rotten Tomatoes, with a 77% audience rating). The official synopsis for the first movie reads:

“Robert McCall (Denzel Washington), a man of mysterious origin who believes he has put the past behind him, dedicates himself to creating a quiet new life. However, when he meets Teri (Chloë Grace Moretz), a teenager who has been manhandled by violent Russian mobsters, he simply cannot walk away. With his set of formidable skills, McCall comes out of self-imposed retirement and emerges as an avenging angel, ready to take down anyone who brutalizes the helpless.”

Four years later, Washington and Fuqua returned to the world of The Equalizer for its first sequel (aptly titled, The Equalizer 2). The film upped the ante, including bringing in a massive cast that included Pedro Pascal, Orson Bean, Ashton Sanders, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo. The film divided critics, holding a 52% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Although, audiences still enjoyed it, as it holds a 62% audience rating.

Will Denzel Washington Return for Another ‘The Equalizer’ Sequel?

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At the time of writing, The Equalizer franchise is a trilogy. Fuqua and Washington released the third film in the franchise in 2023. The film was a major hit, boasting a 76% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an insanely high 94% audience score. It also snagged $191 million at the box office.

While The Equalizer might currently be a trilogy, there are plans to turn it into a full blown franchise. Following the release of The Equalizer 3, Washington revealed that there are currently plans for not one, but two more films in the series. The last update came in February 2024, when writer, Richard Wenk, confirmed that a fourth film is in development, even if he had no idea where to take the franchise after the more definitive ending of the threequel. He said:

“I felt it was over. It felt like the final chapter for this guy. I don’t know where he would go after that. Though…[laughs] I’m now tasked with figuring that out.”