Nicolas Winding Refn in talks to join Denzel Washington on The Equalizer

Sony Pictures and Escape Artists may have found a director to bring their feature adaptation of the 1980s television series The Equalizer to the screen, with Variety reporting that an offer has been made to Nicolas Winding Refn, the acclaimed Danish filmmaker behind the likes of Pusher, Bronson and Drive, and negotiations are expected to commence shortly.

The Equalizer is based on the classic TV series headlined by the late Edward Woodward, who starred as Robert McCall, a former black ops agent from an unnamed government intelligence agency attempting to atone for his past by offering his particular skill set free of charge to those in need. The script for the film has been written by Richard Wenk (The Expendables 2), who is currently tackling the screenplay for the live-action Masters of the Universe remake, while Denzel Washington (Safe House) is attached to star in what is being eyed as a potential franchise.

Nicolas Winding Refn is currently in post-production on the crime drama Only God Forgives, which will reunite him with Drive star Ryan Gosling and is due for release next year. The duo were also attached to another TV adaptation, the long-in-development Logan's Run, although Gosling's recent departure from the project has left question marks hanging over Refn's continued involvement.