Doting dad and action hero - Denzel Washington in The Equalizer 2

DENZEL Washington is certainly one "proud papa". The night before we meet, the affable Hollywood legend, 63, sat watching his actor son, John David, being interviewed on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Seeing the 34-year-old appearing on the US talk show was so exciting, he couldn't help but turn to high-five his wife, Pauletta. "I knew my son was going to be a good actor - he is one," the New York native proudly enthuses. "He's growing as an actor. It's something he really wanted. I'm so happy for him."

He's notably following in the footsteps of his dad, who has worked on many great films, including the groundbreaking Malcolm X. That's just one of Washington's unforgettable roles, in a mighty career which has seen him nab two Oscars - first, for historical war drama Glory in 1990, and then 2001 crime thriller Training Day.

In true fatherly fashion, the actor - who has three more grown-up children - has some wise words for young people searching for success in the big wide world.

"Find what you love," he begins softly. "Do what you're passionate about. Keep it simple. Never give up. Believe in yourself. Work hard, work harder, make sure you're working the hardest."

The star's latest film, The Equalizer 2, is a return to playing action hero Robert McCall, a retired CIA operative who helps the beaten, exploited and oppressed with his crime-fighting skills. This time round, things get personal for McCall, following the death of someone close to him - and, as he comes face to face with highly-trained assassins, he will need all of his skills to settle the score.

Asked what it is about the character that appeals to him, Washington remarks matter-of-factly: "It's not like, 'Oooh I love this, I can't wait to do it again!' I interpret roles, that's what I do. This was a role I enjoyed interpreting, and they came up with a good story."

Interestingly, this is the first sequel of Washington's career. "The excitement for me comes when I do something new," he remarks. "When it came to this screenplay, the new territory was the relationship with Susan, Melissa Leo's character, and the relationship with the young boy, Miles, played by Ashton Sanders [of Moonlight fame]. This film is more of a personal journey for McCall, because it's about what happens to people that he's allowed into his life. He was a man who wasn't going to allow anyone in his life, and now, when he opens up to a couple people, it's not good."

The film also meant a reunion with Pittsburgh-born Antoine Fuqua (the 52-year-old directed both The Equalizer and Training Day).

"Don't like him," Washington quips with a wry smile, when asked what it was like working with Fuqua again. "Never work with him. What's he done for me? So, I won an Oscar with him? Who cares." "No, he's a good friend," he follows, "and a very talented filmmaker. We're already looking at other things."

In terms of what makes Washington such a good actor to direct, Fuqua explains: "He's committed, always. He's always searching for greatness. And, believe it or not, he's always trying to be better than he already is, which is almost impossible. But he always strives for that."

Bringing the third act, which takes place during a Category 5 hurricane, to life was a particularly tough part of making The Equalizer 2. It took almost a month to shoot the stormy sequences, which took place on the shore of Massachusetts during daylight hours. As Washington summarises: "It was very wet, a lot of wind and changes of clothes."

Meanwhile, the thriller is non-stop action, with the violent fight scenes throughout involving "a lot of rehearsal, a lot of choreography. We're working with expert fighters, so they keep it safe for us actors," the star adds.

Washington began his professional career performing in theatre productions in New York, before crossing over into the world of the silver screen. And he reckons his son's success is evidence that the film industry is very different to the one he started out in, saying: "He's proof of that. There is a big difference in the 40 years I've been around, a big difference from when I started.

"They're pushing the envelope. It's up to them. But they're doing it. I'm sure someone tried to discourage Ryan Coogler [the director of Marvel hit Black Panther] - it didn't work."

Fuqua, meanwhile, agrees the industry is getting better when it comes to diversity and better representation. "It's happening, little by little," he suggests. "There are more people of colour in front of camera, there's more people of colour behind the camera. There's more women in front and behind the camera, and in executive positions of power. It's good."

"Change takes time," he continues. "It's okay though - it's getting there. As long as there's movement."

• The Equalizer 2 is in cinemas from Friday, August 17