Dakota Fanning Reuniting with Denzel Washington in Equalizer 3 Nearly 20 Years After Man on Fire

The 28-year-old actress has been cast in director Antoine Fuqua’s Equalizer 3 opposite Denzel Washington, Deadline reported, adding that the action sequel’s release date is set for September 2023.

Fanning and Oscar-winner Washington, 67, costarred in the 2004 film Man on Fire, which was directed by the late Tony Scott. In that movie, Fanning played a 9-year-old relying on her former-CIA bodyguard (Washington) to rescue her after she’s kidnapped.

On her Instagram Story, Fanning reacted to the casting news, writing, « My gratitude to share the screen once again with the legend of all legends is endless. Can’t wait. » She added a fire emoji.

Her actress sister Elle Fanning, 24, shared a message on her own page, writing, « The reunion to beat all reunions!!!! »

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Washington plays Robert McCall in the Equalizer movies, a retired agent who is pulled back into dangerous missions. The first hit theaters in 2014, and a second in 2018.

Way back in 2004, while promoting Man on Fire, Washington praised Fanning and her acting skills, even at that young of an age.

« She’s a sweetheart, as you’ll see if you’ve talked to her already. She’s a bright young woman and she’s just a joy to be around. You can’t not like her, » he told IGN at the time. « Dakota is a child, but she is a wonderful actor. And that’s what we were doing together: acting. I don’t know what a ‘child actor’ is. She’s an actor who’s a child. »

At that same time, a young Fanning told the outlet that Washington « was so nice and I couldn’t wait to see him every day. » She added, « I want to be like him one day. »