Denzel Washington’s Action Thriller Will Blow You Away

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In the anticipation for John Wick 5 to arrive at cinemas later on, there’s another Denzel Washington franchise that rivals John Wick in terms of high-octane action. It’s quite unexpected, but given the success of Ballerina, it looks like Keanu Reeves might reprise his role as the skilled assassin in John Wick 5, despite the character’s death in the fourth film. However, since we’re not likely to see this fifth installment anytime soon, action movie enthusiasts will have to look for alternative films to enjoy in the meantime.

In the current film industry, there are fewer established action stars compared to the past. Yet, these contemporary action stars surprise us because they don’t fit the typical mold. For instance, many didn’t anticipate Keanu Reeves becoming a leading action star until “The Matrix,” but he is now globally adored as an action hero. Similarly, Denzel Washington, who had been primarily known for dramas, unexpectedly found his footing in action films. His breakthrough came with “Training Day,” which allowed him to shift focus and establish a franchise comparable to “John Wick” in terms of intensity.

Denzel Washington’s Hero In The Equalizer Gives John Wick A Run For His Money

Denzel Washington Is A Major Action Star Despite Being 70

During the 1990s, Denzel Washington established himself as a highly-regarded drama actor, even earning an Oscar nomination. But, in 2001, Washington surprised everyone when he won an Oscar for his portrayal of a corrupt cop in Training Day. This unexpected win propelled him into the action hero sphere. Following that film, he starred in numerous action movies such as Out of Time, Man on Fire, The Manchurian Candidate, Inside Man, Deja Vu, Unstoppable, The Book of Eli, and others.

Later in his career, Washington landed his most significant role, starring as Robert McCall in the 2014 film adaptation of the popular TV series The Equalizer. Originally played by Edward Woodward, McCall was a former covert operative who assisted those in need. In this version, Washington portrayed a former Marine and DIA/DCS officer who gets drawn into perilous situations when people from his community require help.

In the first film, we saw the character portrayed by Washington, aged 60, excel in some breathtaking action sequences. His abilities ranged from handling gunfights, knife battles, and even hand-to-hand combat. Just like in the John Wick series, he managed to overpower numerous opponents in fight scenes. By the time the third movie came out, Washington was 69 years old, yet he continued to outmaneuver several adversaries seamlessly. It was evident that the fighting prowess of John Wick was reflected in the character played by Robert McCall, and it was even more awe-inspiring given his advanced age.

Why The Equalizer Is A Defining Movie In Denzel Washington’s Career

Denzel Washington Makes The Most Money For Studios In The Equalizer

Actors often take part in films that are commercially successful first to afford the opportunity to make movies they are passionate about later on. For instance, Denzel Washington starred in Gladiator II in 2024, a film that didn’t perform well at the box office despite being intended as a major blockbuster. However, since actors commit to projects ahead of time, he swiftly moved on to collaborate with Spike Lee again on the remake of Highest 2 Lowest by Akira Kurosawa. Between 2014 and 2023, Washington also produced three Equalizer films.

Due to the massive box office success of “The Equalizer” trilogy, Denzel Washington became a highly profitable actor for the studio. Each film grossed approximately $190 million globally, enabling him to continue the franchise. At 70 years old, he has been asked to make two more movies within this series. The financial success of “The Equalizer” also led to Washington’s ability to produce and direct films like “Fences” and “A Journal for Jordan,” as well as star in smaller projects such as “The Tragedy of Macbeth.” Essentially, the success story of “The Equalizer” has made Denzel Washington a bankable star.

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2025-06-07 13:49