Antoine Fuqua has explained why a prequel to Training Day will likely never happen.
The director is currently on the promotional tour for The Equalizer 3, which is being released two days after the 4K restoration of Training Day had played in cinemas.
A prequel to the 2001 film, which starred Denzel Washington and Ethan Hawke, reportedly entered production last year, with the story focusing on a young Alonzo Harris (Washington) around the time of the Los Angeles riots.
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In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, Fuqua spoke about the original film’s appeal and legacy, whilst also revealing that the lead star’s age meant a prequel would likely never see the light of day.
“There was a time when a prequel for Training Day sounded interesting, but it would have had to be done with Denzel back then, when he was closer to that age,” he said. “It would have been exciting what he did in Vegas. I just don’t think it would be the same without him.
“I’m not sure. It’s still good over evil, no matter what,” he said of the original film’s enduring legacy. “No matter how seductive evil can be, you still make the right choices, but the world has changed.”
Fuqua re-teamed with Washington for all three instalments in The Equalizer series, with the latest (and reportedly final) chapter seeing Robert McCall come face-to-face with the mafia. The director, who also helmed Emancipation and Olympus Has Fallen, spoke about the challenging aspects of production, which included shooting on location in Italy.
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“The final moment of Vincent was tough, because we were in Naples, in the streets. And the weather - some tough nights there,” he revealed. “Many challenges, of course. The language, shooting in a difficult place like the Amalfi Coast.
“Beautiful as it is, it's very complicated to get all of the equipment and everything there, but it was absolutely worth it when you look at the shots, and look at the location, it's amazing. And all the people there were incredible, so yeah, all worthwhile I believe,” he added.
The Equalizer 3 is out in UK cinemas on August 30 and in US cinemas on September 1
Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.
Mireia (she/her) has been working as a movie and TV journalist for over eight years. Based in the UK, she is a former deputy movies editor at Digital Spy, and previously worked for the Spanish magazine Fotogramas. Mireia's work has been published in other outlets such as Esquire and Elle in Spain, and WeLoveCinema and GamesRadar+ in the UK. She is also a published author, having written the essay Biblioteca Studio Ghibli: Nicky, la aprendiz de bruja about Hayao Miyazaki's Kiki's Delivery Service.
During her years as a freelance journalist and film critic, Mireia has covered festivals around the world and has interviewed high-profile talents such as Kristen Stewart, Ryan Gosling, Jake Gyllenhaal and many more. She's also taken part in juries such as the FIPRESCI jury at Venice Film Festival and the short film jury at Kingston International Film Festival in London. LinkedIn
