Queen Latifah will be The Equalizer for CBS primetime series reboot

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Look alert and make some room, Denzel Washington, because Queen Latifah is poised to sit upon the throne as the newest Equalizer.

It's been reported that CBS has ordered a pilot production commitment for THE EQUALIZER, a reimagining of the classic TV series and Denzel Washington-led film franchise. Positioned at the front and center of the newly-announced project is her royal majesty, Queen Latifah, who will star as well as executive produce. Heading up the project are TAKE TWO creators Andrew Marlowe & Terri Miller, Davis Entertainment, Flavor Unit, Martin Chase Productions, Universal Television and CBS TV Studios.

In addition to penning the script, Marlowe and Miller will also act as showrunners for THE EQUALIZER, which finds Queen Latifah playing the part of a fixer who uses her elaborate set of skills to help those who can no longer help themselves. The new project will act as a fresh take on the character played by Edward Woodward on the original series and by Denzel Washington in the intense film franchise.

Back in the day, THE EQUALIZER series ran for four seasons courtesy of CBS from 1985 to 1989. Co-created by Richard Leindheim with Michael Sloan, the original Equalizer series starred Edward Woodard as Robert McCall, a retired intelligence agent with a shadowy past, who uses his vast array of skills to exact justice for those who've landed themselves in potentially deadly matters beyond their control.

Beyond the television screen, The Equalizer also found its way into theaters thanks to director Antoine Fuqua. The first of the Equalizer films, which starred Denzel Washington as Robert McCall, landed in 2014. The aforementioned film earned a worldwide total of $192.3 million at the box office, which eventually paved the way for a sequel, THE EQUALIZER 2, released in 2018.

Word has it that Universal Television has been trying to make an Equalizer television series for the past 4-5 years. While there have been several attempts to get an Equalizer project up and running, it would appear as this latest Queen Latifah-led effort has been the only one to gain traction. The role will find Latifah risking life and limb for those she's agreed to protect, in a world where anything can happen and often does.