Queen Latifah Is Set to Star in Remake of '80s Show 'The Equalizer'

Queen Latifah is slated to star in a remake of "The Equalizer," the crime drama television series which aired on CBS from 1985 until 1989.

According to Deadline, CBS has signed off on a pilot production for the reimagining of the classic series, and Latifah (real name Dana Owens) will not only star but also executive produce.

Also involved in bringing the project to life are Universal Television, CBS TV Studios, Davis Entertainment, Flavor Unit, Martin Chase Productions, and "Take Two" creators Andrew Marlowe & Terri Miller.

Latifah, 49, has been quiet about the project on social media as of Tuesday afternoon, probably waiting to see if CBS would make a pilot commitment.

Besides Latifah, Marlowe and Miller will also executive produce, alongside Richard Lindheim, co-creator of the original Equalizer TV series; John Davis and John Fox of Davis Entertainment; Debra Martin Chase of Martin Chase Productions; and Shakim Compere of Flavor Unit.

"The Equalizer" TV series reboot, which will be written by Marlowe and Miller, follows Latifah’s character as a mysterious individual taking up the role of a vigilante who uses her wide range of skills to help the helpless.

At the core of the plot, Latifah’s character mirrors Robert McCall, the character played by Edward Woodward in the original TV series and Denzel Washington in the 2014 and 2018 film versions.

As Deadline noted of the fictional character, Robert McCall:

"[He is] a retired intelligence agent with a mysterious past, who uses the skills from his former career to exact justice on behalf of innocent people who are trapped in dangerous circumstances."

While there have been films and TV series based on the plot, there was also a feature adaptation produced by Sony in 2014. Universal Television, which produced the original "Equalizer" series, has reportedly been trying to kick-start a reboot for the past four to five years.

Per HuffPost, Latifah, 49, has been quiet about the project on social media as of Tuesday afternoon, probably waiting to see if CBS would make a pilot commitment.

Latifah has also been very busy lately. In the past month, the talented actress and rapper was promoting her role as Ursula in a live performance of Disney’s "The Little Mermaid." "The Little Mermaid Live!" aired on November 5 at 8 pm on ABC.

According to Atlanta Black Star, the "Set It Off" star is also executive producing the upcoming Lifetime movie "The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel," which is reportedly in pre-production while she’s set to star in the films "Paper Chase" and "The Tiger Rising."