Summary

The Equalizer 3 did not bring back original characters because it was always intended to have separate storylines. The focus of The Equalizer 2 was on the DIA and dangerous assassins, making it difficult to bring back characters, such as Ralphie and Alina. The addition of new characters, particularly Emma Collins-Plummer, created excitement and still maintained a connection to Robert’s past associates.

Director Antoine Fuqua explains why The Equalizer 3 didn’t bring back two original movie characters. The trilogy began in 2014 when former DIA officer Robert McCall (Denzel Washington) came out of retirement to handle the Russian mafia who had trafficked a teenager. In the seemingly final installment, Robert discovers his new friends are being threatened by the Italian mafia and decides to take the criminal organization on by himself. The Equalizer 3 also stars Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea, David Denman, and Remo Girone.

The Equalizer movies have featured a range of supporting characters, but during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Fuqua revealed that they were not meant to return. When asked about the possibility of revisiting Ralphie (Johnny Skourtis), Alina (Chloë Grace Moretz), or others, he explained: “No, it was always going to be separate storylines altogether.”

Should The Equalizer 3 Have Brought Back Original Characters?

The Equalizer 2 saw some characters return from the original movie, particularly Susan Plummer (Melissa Leo), a friend of Robert’s who worked with him in the DIA, and her husband Brian (Bill Pullman). Their return in the sequel made sense though, given the relationship between them and Robert. All other characters, including Ralphie, Alina, Dave York (Pedro Pascal), and Miles Whittaker (Ashton Sanders), have only appeared in one installment. More were introduced in The Equalizer 3, and the addition of Fanning as Emma Collins-Plummer created excitement due to the Man on Fire reunion with Washington.

Even though some original characters were able to return for the first sequel, the movie focused more on the DIA and saw Robert go up against a team of dangerous assassins responsible for the eventual death of Susan. With so much of The Equalizer 3 taking place in Italy and following a different story, it would have been difficult to bring back Ralphie and Alina. Their last whereabouts was that they had both been saved by Robert, and Alina revealed her plans of getting a job.

While it’s worth wondering what Ralphie and Alina are up to now, their storylines seemed to conclude with the first movie. Fuqua’s comments about not bringing characters back further suggest that. Even though the latest installment featured new characters, Emma does have a connection to one of Robert’s past associates, which initiates their subtle mentor-mentee relationship and still circles back to the character’s origins in some capacity. While Robert faced new adversaries, The Equalizer 3 ended on a satisfying note for his story, in which he seems to settle in his new home.

Source: THR