'The Equalizer' reboot series to cast Queen Latifah in lead role, gets pilot order from CBS
CBS has greenlit a pilot order for a reboot series of 'The Equalizer' starring Queen Latifah in the lead role popularized by Denzel Washington in the 2014 movie.
While the 2014 movie starring Washington might be more popular, the movie was based on a 1980s series of the same name which also aired on CBS. The original series starred Edward Woodward in the role played by Washington.
The pilot will be written by Andrew Marlowe and Terri Miller. Queen Latifah will play an enigmatic figure who uses her extensive skills to help those with nowhere else to turn in a new take on the character in the original series and the 2014 movie.
Marlowe is known for creating ABC's long-running hit series, 'Castle', which Miller also produced. The two also created the short-lived ABC series, 'Take Two. Marlow and Miller will also be executive producers, John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment; Debra Martin Chase of Martin Chase Productions; Richard Lindheim, co-creator of the original 'The Equalizer' TV series; as well as Queen Latifah (real name Dana Owens) and Shakim Compere of Flavor Unit.
'The Equalizer' pilot joins CBS's development slate which includes two Chuck Lorre shows, one of which is titled 'United States of Al', a multi-camera comedy about the friendship between a Marine combat veteran and the interpreter who served with his unit in Afghanistan.
“Equalizer” marks the second high-profile action project CBS has put into development this season. Previously, the network announced a put pilot order for a drama starring Dolph Lundgren with Sylvester Stallone executive producing in which Lundgren would play a black-ops soldier working for the U.N.
If 'The Equalizer' manages to secure a series order, it will be one among the many reboots currently airing on CBS, including 'Hawaii 5-0', 'MacGyver', 'Magnum P.I.', 'SEAL Team' and 'SWAT'.