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Denzel Washington, renowned as one of the best actors in the industry, has not only showcased his mastery of the craft but has also delved into the realm of action movies, leaving an indelible mark with films like The Equalizer franchise. Interestingly, Washington revealed that he learned some unique tricks from experts in hand-to-hand combat during the filming of the first movie in The Equalizer series, directed by Antoine Fuqua.
When asked by The Guardian about the use of pens in a violent scenario while promoting The Equalizer 3, Washington shared a surprising and insightful story about stationery-based combat techniques. He recounted, “We had this ex-Navy Seal guy training us. They do use pens and stuff. Eyeglasses is a big one. You fold that thing up and jab right in the corner of the eye, that’s a real weapon.”
Fuqua, also present during the interview, added a perspective on the practicality of such skills, stating, “Self-preservation. You’re in a room, you gotta go to war, you don’t have a gun. You do what you gotta do.” This acknowledgment emphasizes the notion that in intense situations, characters like McCall, portrayed by Washington in The Equalizer franchise, resort to using improvised weaponry to defend themselves.
Throughout the series, McCall has been portrayed as resourceful and skilled in utilizing ordinary objects as weapons, adding a layer of realism to the action sequences. Washington’s commitment to authenticity in his roles, even in the context of improvised combat, has contributed to the success and appeal of The Equalizer movies.