With the advent of AI and other technical advancements, the concept of de-aging a film star for a role seems to have caught on quite a bit in Hollywood. In recent memory, this technology was used on veteran actor Harrison Ford to make him look younger for a particular scene in Indiana Jones: The Dials of Destiny. Oscar winner Martin Scorsese used the process in The Irishman for Robert DeNiro, Joe Pesci, and Al Pacino while Star Wars veteran Mark Hamill was also de-aged in his return to the franchise.
The latest filmmaker who was enamored by this technology is Antoine Fuqua for his 3rd film in The Equalizer series starring Denzel Washington which is set to release on the 1st of September. With The Equalizer 3 expected to tackle the character’s origin story, Fuqua considered de-aging as a possible way to present his lead star in his younger avatar.
Was Denzel Washington De-Aged in The Equalizer 3?
IN 2014, Denzel Washington starred in The Equalizer directed by Antoine Fuqua who also worked with the star in his Oscar-winning role in Training Day. The vigilante action film focuses on a retired marine played by Washington, who returns to the firing line to protect a teen prostitute from the mafia. After a sequel, Fuqua and the Hurricane actor are all set to make the audience buckle up for another action fest with The Equalizer 3 which is expected to be an origin story of the character.
In order to portray Washington as his younger self, Fuqua, in an interview, discussed the possibilities of using the now popular de-aging technique for the film. The director spoke about his research into the concept and despite not incorporating it finally, elaborated on the exciting prospects for the future.
“I definitely thought about it a lot. Especially now with the new technology and the AI and all of that kind of stuff…“It’s all so fresh and new. And I’m hearing the technology is getting better and better and better. So I’m kind of watching it to see where it goes.”
Fuqua also revealed that he had not discussed with Denzel Washington about the actor’s thoughts on the possibility of being de-aged and added that he would wish to educate himself a bit further before merging this technology into his films.
Denzel Washington Goes International for The Equalizer 3
After an Oscar-winning collaboration followed by two successful installments in The Equalizer franchise, Denzel Washington and director Antoine Fuqua are set to regale audiences once again with the final part of the trilogy, The Equalizer 3. With this origin story, Fuqua takes Washington’s character abroad this time with the narrative being set extensively in Italy. Elaborating on the reasons behind making the film an international adventure, Fuqua said,
“Denzel is an international movie star. We thought it would be nice to see a man of color in a story that’s more international. Why not take this character around the world”?
The Equalizer 3 is also creating hype through its trailer in which Denzel Washington is seen using the combative martial art technique of suppressing the median nerve to overcome a thug Marco played by Andreo Dodero. With many similar exciting segments lined up, the film looks set to have a promising weekend at the box office.
The Equalizer 3 releases worldwide on September 1st, 2023.
Source: NME
