Queen Latifah Dives Deep into Her Role in ‘The Equalizer’ & Upcoming Biopic – Exclusive Insights!

At the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Queen Latifah visited Deadline’s studio to share insights on her upcoming biographical film and her role as Robyn McCall in The Equalizer.

Produced by Queen Latifah’s Flavor Unit Entertainment, her biopic joins a list of films about some of the most legendary figures in hip-hop. She mentioned, “We have teamed up with Westbrook [Studios] and Jesse Collins Entertainment to bring these stories to life. I’m among the first, and Will [Smith] will also be sharing his story, playing a crucial role in mine as well.”

The critical casting decision is who will portray Queen Latifah herself. “This casting is pivotal,” she explained. “I started in the industry at 17, and there’s a lot leading up to that. It’s essential to find someone who can encapsulate the various phases of my life.”

Reflecting on her rise as a hip-hop artist, she recalled the challenges of adjusting to fame. “Initially, I felt overwhelmed by the persona of ‘Queen Latifah’—a label that seemed larger than life. It took time to accept that identity as my own. We are currently writing the biopic, but it’s going to take some time to complete.”

After wrapping up the CBS series The Equalizer, where she starred and served as an executive producer for five seasons, Queen Latifah is taking some time off. The series recently concluded.

In her portrayal of Robyn McCall, Queen Latifah hinted that it might not be the last we see of her character. “In the world of The Equalizer, anything can happen. I put so much of myself into Robyn McCall, and it’s entirely possible we’ll see other facets or versions of her in the future,” she suggested.