Rupert Wyatt in talks to direct The Equalizer with Denzel Washington

Rupert Wyatt seems to have wasted little time in filling his upcoming slate after dropping out of the director's chair on Fox's Rise of the Planet of the Apes sequel. Earlier this month it was announced that the British filmmaker is busy working on adaptation of Sebastian Faulks' epic World War I novel Birdsong, which may feature Nicholas Hoult (Jack the Giant Killer) in the lead role, and now Deadline has revealed that Wyatt is in talks with Sony to direct their big screen version of the classic 80s TV series The Equalizer.

Based on a screenplay by Richard Wenk (The Expendables 2), The Equalizer is being eyed as a potential franchise by Sony and will see Denzel Washington (Flight) stepping into the Edward Woodward role as a former black ops agent who now uses his particular skillset to help those in need. According to Deadline, the role will be tailored to Washington's skills and see him playing "a solitary, monastic figure who hates injustice and devotes himself to helping people who are being victimized."

At this point in time Wyatt's involvement is far from certain, given his involvement with Birdsong, as well as a commitment to direct the AMC pilot Turn, while Sony would also need to reach an agreement with Fox, who hold an option on Wyatt following the Apes reboot.