Nicolas Winding Refn is in early talks to direct the Denzel Washington thriller, “The Equalizer,” for Columbia Pictures and Escape Artists, a person familiar with the project has told TheWrap.

The film is loosely based on the 1980s TV series that starred Edward Woodward as a former undercover operations officer who helps people in trouble.

Refn’s other directing credits include “Pusher,” “Valhalla Rising,” “Bleeder” and “Drive,” which won him the best director award in Cannes in 2011. His upcoming films include “Only God Forgives,” with "Drive" star Ryan Gosling.

The film is being produced by Escape Artists partners Todd Black, Jason Blumenthal and Steve Tisch. Alex Siskin, Mace Neufeld, Michael Sloan, Tony Eldridge and Denzel Washington are also producing. David Bloomfield will serve as an executive producer.

Richard Wenk (“The Expendables 2”) wrote the script. At Columbia, the project is being overseen by Andrea Giannetti and Hannah Minghella.