ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: Were talking just minutes after you screenedThe Equalizer 2for the first time.
What did you think?DENZEL WASHINGTON:It was good!
And even a bit of a tearjerker at the end, I think a little sentimental.
Credit: Glen Wilson/CTMG
Its always weird watching yourself, but Antoine did an excellent job.
And as well, the dynamic between Robert and Miles, father-son.
What was it like to create that?It was like that.
It was like that.
Because [Sanders is] a young kid whos just coming up.
And my own fatherly instincts kicked in!
It was like adopting a son for a few months.
What was it like to do those scenes with Ashton?It was organic.
But just that kind of relationship is perfect for this film.
And theres so much in this film about trying to do good.
Antoine, when we spoke, called Robert a dark angel.
I dont look outside of the character and say, Oh, hes this.
I dont know how to play a dark angel.
I dont know what that means.
But you make the movie, and then people call it what they want to call it.
I wont say this was the first time [a sequel] made sense.
I havent been asked that much, actually, come to think of it.
I dont know if Ive ever been asked at all.
The only reason is thereisa reason.
Not just to go blow up some more stuff and run and jump around.
Theres got to be some kind of story.
The actor in me is hopeful theres a good story.
I mean, he kept good ones in there as well.
Richard Wenk wrote that, when Im cleaning graffiti off that wall.
He did such a great job of writing and reimagining that character.
How do you approach McCall?I dont look at it from the outside in.
Thats for somebody else to do.
I look at how he is, not at how hes looked at.
Does that make sense?
I cant play a character based on how others look at him.
What is the truth of Robert to you, then?Oh, man.
Thats not a simple answer.
Obviously, he wants to help people and feels a need to do that.
And obviously, the stakes are extremely high in this case.
Is there a change in him, in this movie?I dont know.
I dont see a difference.
Why its significant for him to do that.
Thats not something I ever thought about.
I just dont look at things that way.
Thats whats important to Denzel that Im not just some guy running around blowing up people for no reason.
Theres enough blood as there is.
That McCall is often trying to prevent violence.Exactly.
You never see that more clearly than you do in the dynamic McCall has with Miles.
We talked a lot about that.
I guess I owe him a call as a father figure just to see how hes doing.
I know hes a wonderful filmmaker.
Weve had good success creatively and financially, business-wise.
I enjoy working with Antoine.
Brutal, but she fights them tooth and nail.
She did her best.
They want to believe in someone or something, root for the good guy and boo the bad guys.
