‘The Equalizer’ Gunning for Nearly $40 Million at Weekend Box Office What’s your Reaction? +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 +1 0 Facebook Twitter Email Denzel Washington is dropping the hammer at the U.S. box office. His new action thriller “The Equalizer” is aiming for $37 million this weekend although some observers believe it could hit $40 million. Based on the 1980s TV show, “The Equalizer” reunites Washington with “Training Day” director Antoine Fuqua. The R-rated film, according to early estimates, is on track for $14.5 million Friday. Sony insiders have conservatively pegged the film in the low-$30 million range all week long, but if Friday ticket sales continue to rise, “The Equalizer” will snare the highest opening weekend in September ever for a live-action movie. The current record holder is “Insidious Chapter 2,” which bowed to $40.2 million last year. It’s a much-welcomed spike for the erratic U.S. box office, not to mention a relief for Sony Pictures, which co-financed the film with Village Roadshow and LStar Capital. Despite mixed reviews, the $55 million “Equalizer” already has a sequel in development as the studio continues to look for future franchise properties. Co-starring Chloe Moretz, “The Equalizer” is playing in 3,234 locations nationwide. This weekend’s other wide release, Laika’s stop-motion animated “The Boxtrolls” is expected to draw $17 million through Sunday. It’s a decent showing for the 3D project which is the latest offering from the makers of “Coraline” and “ParaNorman, but with its $60 million budget, “The Boxtrolls” is going to need to be a much broader performance overseas, or at least have longer legs at the U.S. box office, if it wants to turn a profit. 20th Century Fox’s “Maze Runner,” last weekend’s no. 1 film, is expected to drop 50% for a $16 million sophomore hold. [youtube_sc url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9fFFJkqIsQ] [youtube_sc url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjctHUEmutw]