Action icon Liam Neeson reveals he is a fan of Denzel Washington's associated Neeson with killing adversaries in a number of action movies, including four with director Jaume Collet-Serra and two that were released this just year: Blacklight and Memory.
Fans of the genre are likely also familiar with Washington's The Equalizer, released back in 2014. Partially based on the 1980s television show of the same name, it tells the story of a former U.S. Marine turned DIA intelligence officer, Robert McCall (Washington), who seeks to protect a teenage girl from the Russian mafia. Washington served as a producer in addition to starring and acted alongside Marton Csokas, Chloë Grace Moretz, Bill Pullman, and Melissa Leo. A sequel following the death of McCall's friend and his quest for revenge premiered four years later, with Washington, Pullman, and Leo reprising their roles. Another follow-up, The Equalizer 3, is confirmed to start filming this year and has been given a September 2023 release date.
Now, in an interview with /Film, Neeson shares his love of The Equalizer series. He speaks about other actors turning to action roles and highlights some stars that demonstrate vulnerability in their performances. When talking about Washington, he states that he has seen a lot of his work and notes what he does well in The Equalizer movies. Read his thoughts below:
"It's interesting. Yeah, Burt Lancaster. Robert Mitchum did too. I know he did have a quality that was bordered on vulnerability, that made him a great actor, I think. Mitchum was fantastic, a big hero of mine from when I was a teenager. There was just something about him I liked. And who else now? Who else has got that? Denzel Washington. I mean, Denzel's a fantastic actor, probably our greatest movie star in this country I think. I've seen him on stage. I've seen a lot of his films. Love those 'Equalizer' films. I mean, Antoine Fuqua, love those movies. Denzel could do that too. He can show a strength and a solidity and touch on the vulnerability, which is incredibly watchful."
It makes sense that Neeson ires the combination of power and vulnerability other actors give in action roles, since his work in the genre tends to revolve around his characters having personal tribulations amidst the conflict. In his latest film, Memory, Neeson plays a hitman suffering from dementia who is forced to run after refusing a job. Taken famously follows his character as he searches for his abducted teenage daughter, but Neeson has also taken on roles dealing with alcoholism, an estranged father-son relationship, and the idea that his own family is unable to recognize him.
It is interesting to see what kind of performances inspire Neeson, considering that he has been associated with action-thrillers for such a long time now. The character of Robert McCall certainly resembles the type of role he tends to portray, so it is fitting that Neeson would ire The Equalizer. Those who enjoy Neeson's action films, as well as The Equalizer series, can look forward to Washington's return when the third installment premieres next year.
Source: /Film
