DRIVE's Nicolas Winding Refn to Direct THE EQUALIZER, Starring Denzel Washington

The man behind the critically-acclaimed DRIVE, Nicolas Winding Refn, has signed on to direct Sony Pictures' THE EQUALIZER, Deadline reported this afternoon. Long-time 'it' guy Denzel Washington is slated to star. Many directors had been approaced by Sony after Washington had agreed to star, though it appears Refn was the ultimate selection.

THE EQUALIZER, based on the TV series from the 1980s, starred Edward Woodward's former covert govenment agent who performs good deeds for people in sticky situations. The film, however, will follow Washington as a secluded figure who fights injustice and devotes himself to protecting the victims of it.

Production is set to begin on the film in mid 2013.

Nicolas Winding Refn is best known for directing 2011's DRIVE, which starred Ryan Gosling, as well as the PUSHER films from 1996, 2004, and 2005. His upcomign feature, ONLY GOD FORGIVES, with Ryan Gosling once again starring, will hit theaters on March 28, 2013.

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