Equalizer Reboot With Queen Latifah in Title Role Gets CBS Pilot Order
After hitting the big screen, The Equalizer is headed back to TV: CBS has officially handed a pilot order to a reboot of the late-’80s crime drama, now starring Queen Latifah in the title role, TVLine has learned.
The original series ran on CBS from 1985 to 1989 and starred Edward Woodward as Robert McCall, a former covert operations officer who tried to atone for his past sins by offering, usually free of charge, his services as a troubleshooter, protector and investigator (or what we now simply call a “fixer”).
This “reimagining” of the classic series stars Queen Latifah as “an enigmatic figure who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn.” Castle executive producers Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller will pen the pilot, and original series co-creator Richard Lindheim is also onboard as an EP. (The reboot was first announced back in November.)
Queen Latifah’s previous TV credits include Star, Single Ladies, Living Single and, most recently, ABC’s The Little Mermaid Live, in the role of Ursula.
The original Equalizer series eventually — and we do mean eventually — spawned a big-screen adaptation in 2014, starring Denzel Washington, as well as the 2018 sequel you are probably first hearing about now, The Equalizer 2.
I love her. I hope it gets picked up because she’s a fine actress.
I’m interested in this. I don’t watch anything else on CBS at the moment, so this might reel me back in. I’m hoping it gets picked up to series as well.
I like Queen Latifah, I’d give anything she does a try. Though, I would like to see Denzel Washington continue the film franchise too.
I was wondering why this wasnt in the previous pilot article. I hope this one goes to series.
I miss star
Honestly, if Queen Latifah wasn’t leading this, I would have zero interest.
Oooh, I was interested in this when I first read about it here, so I’m glad it got a pilot order.
And, uh, excuse me, Mr. Matt Webb Mitovich, not everyone is just now hearing about Equalizer 2. Some of us have heard and seen it, hehe.
If there’s one thing CBS’ audience likes, it’s old white guys getting replaced by black women. I can’t see this show doing well for this reason alone.
I think if someone told Mitovich that The Equalizer 2 made over $100 million domestically, it would be the first he’d heard of it…
If they’re going to turn every Denzel movie into a series next up should be Remember The Titans.
If they did, I want it to pick up where the little girl of the assistant coach is now a coach herself. She was so into football. Though I know the movie was based on a true story….
You do realize that Equalizer was a series before it became a Denzel movie don’t you?
NOPE. NOPE. NOPE. Zero Interest!
Why Hollywood…why the constant gender swap/reboot route? Nobody wants, is asking for or needs this. Queen L is amazing, but not for this type of TV show.
I suspect CBS couldn’t have Sony on board to co-produce with Universal TV and CBS TV Studios because it would be unrealistic for three major TV studios to produce one show. Columbia/Sony produced the The Equalizer feature films (I don’t know how they got the rights instead of Universal). These company-hops just make me not as supportive of reboots as others are.
BAD IDEA, why would someone green light that? I don’t care about her being a female, but she is not the right one. I can’t imagine her busty and out of shape physique running down the street or doing martial art moves. NO WAY. Her acting skills would also have to be as good as Denzel’s and I know that’s not happening. Just look Star or any of her previous work. They should cast someone like SANAA LATHAN (Aliens vs Predator) or KERRY WASHINGTON (Scandal)if they want a woman of color play the role. At least, they could probably handle most of the acting and physical demands, better.
Edward Woodward wasn’t exactly the most in shape guy when he made the original series.
he had a heart attack during its run and had to subbed by actors like roger moore and robert mitchum. they were good eps too.
but edward’s health helped end the show’s run in the end.
Well Latifah is exactly not too far off for having a heart attack herself. If you logically think about it. Besides, most don’t even remember the old tv show and it wasn’t the highest rated show itself. Most are expecting something closer to the recent re-boot movie series with Denzel. That is the new barometer her show would have to live up to in order for the show to succeed and we know that’s not happening. Why can’t she do something more original and suited for physical presence? Why is she coping twice. Two versions is enough.
Actually, I heard it’s going to be based on the most recent reboot with Denzel and he was in GREAT SHAPE! I mean seriously, why would they go back that far to the Woodward days. That makes even worse sense as this casting. As the tv show wasn’t as good as the movie version AT ALL.
the films are just ‘man on fire’ dressed up with none of the style, light touch of the tv show, especially with mccall and control.
When you learn to how to write out a complete and literate sentence, I’ll reply because no offense, but I have no idea what you are uttering about. Try reading it aloud first.
She is actually an excellent choice based on the original series – Edward Woodward didn’t do martial arts, or bother to run people down. He outsmarted and outmaneuvered them until they fell into his trap.
I just don’t think today’s TV can produce anything as good.
Except it’s supposed to be based on recent version. Though it would also fail if they went back in time 40yrs to the older version of the tv series, too. Because it’s out of style.
This sounds interesting. QL has a real presence that could work well in this sort of vehicle.
I like QL but not another reboot – ugh.
Ooh! I would watch that! Queen Latifah is crazy watchable!
No, she isn’t. That’s why she can’t keep a tv show.
This might be OK, so long as its more like the original TV version than the movies. QL is a lot of things, but not an action star LOL. But if its more in the vain of Castle, than it could work. Personally, I would have gone with Gina Torres if going this casting route.
You’re right, I could take her more seriously for the older version of the series. She has the same demeanor of Woodward’s character! But honestly, I wish for more original programming.
To me she doesn’t seem like the right choice for this role. But sometimes those surprise me. I enjoyed the original series; I’ll at least give this one a look.