Equalizer 3 was the stuff of filmmaking fantasies for Antoine Fuqua to be able to shoot in Rome’s Cinecittà Studios and tread in the footsteps of Federico Fellini and so many other greats.
The Equalizer 3
For years, director Antoine Fuqua has wanted to take The Equalizer abroad. The action franchise (loosely inspired by a 1980s television series) starring Denzel Washington as the reluctant assassin Robert McCall had humble origins in Boston. But, with two films and $382.7 million in box-office receipts in the previous decade, the moment looked right.
“Denzel is an international movie star,” Fuqua said, according to The Associated Press. We felt a man of color in a more global story would be nice, the author said. Why not take this character on a worldwide journey? Fortunately, Sony liked the concept.”
And just one country was ever really considered: Italy. Fuqua said he has been going to Washington every summer since his children were newborns. He adores the culture, the people, and the cuisine. He can even communicate in Italian. “He just feels right there,” remarked Fuqua.
And for Fuqua, getting to shoot in Rome’s Cinecitta Studios and tread in the footsteps of Fellini and so many other greats was the stuff of filmmaking dreams. They discovered a truly 1970s New York grit in Naples, which required little to no production design for a critical showdown. And on the Amalfi coast, they discovered the lovely Atrani, the little town of their and McCall’s thoughts.
It’s the type of area you’d think someone like McCall (or anybody) would feel immediately connected to and protective of, which is exactly what occurs in Equalizer 3, which opens in Indian theatres on Friday. The difference is that McCall is more positioned to take on the Camorra.
When we arrived in that little village, Fuqua stated, “We knew that was the location. We were sitting about, and they kept giving us coffee and espresso. The folks were very kind.” We didn’t even request it. Or, since it was so hot, huge lemons. In a place like that, you fall in love with the people.”
The steps were the sole source of contention, which isn’t really a complaint. One of Atrani’s gems is a medieval chapel set on the slope high above the beach, which they believed would be ideal for a key sequence between McCall and Dakota Fanning’s CIA analyst. The only way to get there, though, is to climb almost 700 steps. It wasn’t a comfortable journey with all the equipment needed to shoot a scene, but it served as a nice reminder of Fuqua’s and his cinematographer, three-time Oscar winner Robert Richardson,’s objective. They wanted to depict a real location, not a vacation spot.
“It’s not a travelogue,” Fuqua pointed out. “The Mediterranean is beautiful, but it’s also real life for the people who live there.” Fishermen subsist on what they catch. They live in cramped quarters. Every day, they stroll up those steps.”
The film assembles a core crew with decades of experience, including producers Todd Black and Jason Blumenthal. In addition to the Equalizer films, Fuqua directed Washington in Training Day, which earned him his first lead actor Oscar, and The Magnificent Seven, which was recently remade.
Franchises and awards have no bearing on the creation of a film. Black asserts that it is most likely past the point where a movie can be made that can lead to a series or even an Oscar nomination. “While it’s not always the case, you shouldn’t think that way.
Instead, they approached it script by screenplay and “let the audience decide.” The audience seems to enjoy seeing Washington as McCall more than once. Both the first and second films grossed more than $190 million apiece on production budgets of less than $65 million, and Sony was interested in a third. It also helped that Black and Fuqua had become friends, with the invaluable trust that comes with it. Both are aware that everything on their projects will be secure and managed, whether it’s dealing with an unexpected fan scenario for their celebrity or ensuring that shooting in Naples at night is not too risky.
Due to our extreme vigilance, Black said, “We’ve never had an incident at our movies.” “And Antoine is a true protector of actors.”
Now, Black and Fuqua are in the rare position of having to be the principal voices advertising Equaliser 3 in place of their movie stars, who, along with Hollywood writers, are on strike. However, although numerous films released this month without the support of a star’s late-night quips and red-carpet appearances have struggled at the box office, Black is optimistic about Equalizer 3.
Denzel Washington is the “Equalizer,” but I have other films coming out that will absolutely need my stars to promote them, the director remarked.”Black clarified. “We’re very, very confident, thanks to Antoine for creating such a beautiful film that works and that audiences have embraced so far.” We’re in fantastic form.”
Both miss having Washington by their sides on the press trip. According to Black, the 68-year-old singer is more “mellower” today than he was years ago and is a pleasure to do press with. Fuqua also noted that McCall in Equaliser 3 may reflect a bit of where Washington is in his life. Both are a little more calm and patient than the other. At 4:00 a.m., he would phone Todd and Me. to look at the sunrise,” Fuqua said. “Denzel wasn’t there before. It’s good to watch him slow down and appreciate life.”