Denzel Washington’s ‘Equalizer’ has strong opening

Action-thriller film The Equalizer, currently showing in the UAE, brought in $1.45 million (Dh5.3 million) from Thursday night showings on its way to another strong debut for its star, Denzel Washington.

That studio-estimated tally came from showings that started at 7pm at 2,693 locations in the US. The Equalizer, from Sony’s Columbia Pictures and Village Roadshow Pictures, is expected to gross $28 million or more through Sunday from its opening in the US and Canada.

Washington’s previous action flick 2 Guns, costarring Mark Wahlberg, scored $1.3 million on its debut on Thursday night last year on its way to a $27-million weekend.

The Equalizer is the latest collaboration between Washington and director Antoine Fuqua, whose 2001 picture Training Day grossed $28 million in its opening and ended up with $76.6 million from its full run in the US. His performance in that movie earned Washington a best actor Oscar.