Denzel WashingtonandDakota Fanninggot a kick out of their big-screen reunion.
In a behind-the-scenes clip shared exclusively with PEOPLE, Washington, 68, Fanning, 29, andThe Equalizer 3director Antoine Fuqua discuss what it was like to have the costars team up againnearly 20 years after 2004’sMan on Fire.
“It’s amazing having Dakota. Made my life easier," Fuqua, 57, says in the clip. “Put Denzel and Dakota together… it’s fun for me to just watch."
Fanning plays CIA analyst Emma, an agent who begins a correspondence with McCall as he begins his fight against the village’s organized crime leaders.
Dakota Fanning in “The Equalizer 3”.Stefano Montesi
Stefano Montesi
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“I would have done anything to be a part of this and work with Denzel again," Fanning says in the clip. “It’s just a dream come true.”
“Dakota has that ‘I’m in charge, I’ll kick your behind' gene.” Washington adds of his costar’s charisma. “Don’t let the smooth taste fool you. She ain’t fooling me.”
Denzel Washington in “The Equalizer 3”.Stefano Montesi
Fuqua tells PEOPLE that Fanning expressed interest in the movie early in its development. He recalled that when he told Washington she was available, Washington simply said: “Get her.”
“Dakota is very competitive and obviously, as a child, her first [acting] experience with Denzel Washington is very powerful, emotional,” the director says. “But you can see how she has grown quite a bit and I think it was more fascinating for Denzel than anyone else.”
Antoine Fuqua, Dakota Fanning and Denzel Washington in April.Ethan Miller/Getty
Ethan Miller/Getty
He adds, “Every once in a while, when I would yell cut, he would just look over and be like, ‘I can’t believe she’s like a grown woman now!’ "
The Equalizer 3is in theaters Sept. 1.
source: people.com
