“We absolutely have no connection with that”: Denzel Washington’s ‘The Equaliser 3’ Intentionally Missed Out 2 Major Characters Including Chloe Grace Moretz
The Equalizer franchise has consistently delivered reliable returns for Hollywood ever since its inception with the first movie. In an era where such luminaries are becoming increasingly scarce, Denzel Washington stands as a testament to the timeless appeal of a charismatic leading man of this franchise. The announcement of The Equalizer 3 marked a highly anticipated reunion between Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua, a partnership that has previously yielded two successful installments.
However, this latest installment takes a bold step by almost functioning as a stand-alone spin-off within the franchise. One notable deviation in The Equalizer 3 is the absence of several original characters from the franchise. A host of other talented actors who had played pivotal roles in earlier chapters of the franchise have also opted not to return for The Equalizer 3. Pedro Pascal, Ashton Sanders, David Harbour, Bill Pullman, Melissa Leo, Haley Bennett, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Johnny Skourtis are among the ensemble cast members who have chosen not to reprise their roles in this new Italian adventure.
Creative Twist in Denzel Washington’s Latest Movie
In the thrilling culmination of the action-packed trilogy, which spotlights Denzel Washington as the iconic Robert McCall, a retired US marine turned vigilante, audiences flocked to cinemas with eager anticipation. Yet, director Antoine Fuqua made it abundantly clear that for this final installment, he had no intentions of dwelling on the past when it came to crafting the plot. Throughout The Equalizer franchise, viewers become accustomed to a diverse array of supporting characters who add depth and intrigue to McCall’s world. However, during a revealing interview, Fuqua unveiled the deliberate decision not to revisit familiar faces in The Equalizer 3.
“We absolutely have no connection to that; it wasn’t even in [our] thinking, really. We just did one movie at a time, and it was the audience that made each film successful. So they wanted us to come back and do it again.”
When Fuqua was questioned about the possibility of revisiting characters like Ralphie the Security Guard played by Johnny Skourtis or Alina portrayed by Chloe Grace Moretz from the previous movies, his response was unequivocal: “No, it was always going to be separate storylines altogether.” This statement not only clarified the director’s vision for The Equalizer 3 but also hinted at an exciting departure from convention, promising audiences an entirely fresh and standalone narrative.
Plotting a Fresh Course in The Equalizer 3
Given the divergence in both location and storyline for The Equalizer 3, the return of characters like Ralphie and Alina became logistically challenging. The last we knew of them, Robert McCall had intervened in their lives, saving them from dire circumstances. Alina had expressed her aspirations of securing a job and starting anew. In the cinematic world, Alina, also known as Teri, and Ralphie, first made their appearances in the inaugural installment of The Equalizer.
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Ralphie was portrayed as a security guard who McCall had trained, while Alina’s character was a prostitute trapped in the clutches of a Russian crime syndicate. A chance encounter with McCall led to an unlikely friendship, and as the story unfolded, McCall’s relentless pursuit culminated in the elimination of the crime group’s leaders. This pivotal moment afforded Alina the freedom to embark on a new chapter in her life. It’s only natural to wonder about the fates of characters like Ralphie and Alina and what they might be up to now. However, it appears that their storylines reached a certain conclusion with the events of the first movie.
While The Equalizer 3 introduced a fresh ensemble of characters, one character, Emma, maintained a connection to Robert’s past associates, initiating a subtle mentor-mentee relationship. This connection provided a nod to the character’s origins and reinforced the intricate web of relationships that had defined McCall’s journey.
The Equalizer 3 is in theatres now.
Source: The Digital Fix