• Director Antoine Fuqua conceived the idea of ​​using anti-aging technology on Denzel Washington. Equalizer 3 or a potential prequel project exploring a younger version of Washington’s character.
  • Previous attempts at slowing down aging in films have received mixed reviews, but advances in technology have made them more successful, as seen in films such as Captain Marvel And Irishman.
  • As technology improves, the question arises whether Hollywood should continue to rejuvenate actors, potentially curtailing opportunities for new talent.

Denzel Washington could be the next Hollywood star to rejuvenate herself with digital technology. director Antoine Fuqua pondered the rejuvenation of his constant companion for the future Equalizer project. In a new interview with NME, Fukua said he was so impressed with the anti-aging technology that he considered using it in a flashback sequence - or even creating Equalizer prequel film though upcoming Equalizer 3 It is said to be the last installment in the franchise.

“I’ve definitely thought about it a lot,” Fuqua explained, “Especially now that there’s new technology and artificial intelligence and all that…is there a story that can be told about how [Robert McCall, Washington’s Equalizer character] became that person – the younger version. I had this conversation with [Equalizer co-writer] Richard Wenk very little”. However, there is one caveat: Fuqua has yet to discuss the project with Washington, which may or may not agree to it. Fukua says, “It’s all so fresh and new. i’m still looking [the technology]. I watched Harrison Fordand I know there will be more films coming out. I think Sony has something similar. Tom Hanks soon. And I hear technology is getting better and better and better. So I’m kind of watching it to see where it leads.”

Digital rejuvenation: a fountain of youth for aging franchises?

The first attempts to slow down aging were made in Tron: Legacy With Jeff Bridges’character and X-Men: The Last StandWith Patrick Stewart And Ian McKellan played in younger versions of Professor X and Magneto - although reviews were mixed, some found the resulting product creepy and inhumane. With the passage of time and the improvement of technology, rejuvenation has become more widespread and more successful; Samuel L. Jackson was completely outdated during the filming of the 90s 2019. Captain MarvelAnd Mark Hamill appeared several times as an elderly Luke Skywalker star Wars Series.

Image via Disney

Even Martin Scorsese used this technology extensively for flashback sequences in his 2019 crime epic. Irishman. This year, the technology was showcased in a pompous World War II opening episode. Indiana Jones and the Dial of Doom. As technology improves, it becomes clear that Hollywood can successfully rejuvenate actors, so the question now is, should they do it? Like Collider Samuel Williamson asks, “Do we want to end up in a world where we see fewer new faces just to keep getting older and using virtual actors?”

Equalizer 3In the movie, due in theaters early next month, a retired Washington intelligence officer turned freelance benefactor retires to Italy, only to run into the Sicilian mafia. The film also starred Dakota Fanning (reuniting her with Washington, her man on fire co-star) Eugenio Mastrandrea (From scratch), David Denman (brightburn), And Sonia Ben Ammar (scream).

Equalizer 3 opens in theaters September 1, 2023. Follow the news on Collider and watch the Collider interview with Fukua about Equalizer 2 below.