Chloë Grace Moretz Nabs 'Taxi Driver'-Esque Role In 'The Equalizer'

Chloë Grace Moretz has never been one to shy away from edgy roles, starting with her breakthrough turn as violent, foul-mouthed Hit-Girl in 2010's Kick-Ass. Even so, her latest gig is bound to raise some eyebrows.

The 16-year-old actress will play a young prostitute in The Equalizer, Antoine Fuqua's big-screen adaptation of the '80s TV series. Moretz joins Denzel Washington, who leads as a retired secret agent with a dark past. Hit the jump to find out how Moretz wound up with the part.

A plot synopsis for the film has not been revealed, though we know it'll center on a former covert operative (Washington) who tries to atone for past sins by helping those in need. The trades liken the dynamic between Moretz and Washington to that of Jodie Foster and Robert De Niro in Taxi Driver. Coincidentally, Moretz has stepped into the Iris role before, sort of — the header image comes from a 2011 Harper's Bazaar shoot in which Moretz and Keanu Reeves recreated a scene from the movie.

In any case, this seems like another intriguing move by a rising star who's demonstrated impressive talent and range. In a few short years, Moretz has popped up in projects as diverse as Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Let Me In, and Hugo. She also got to show off her comedy chops on the small screen in 30 Rock. This year sees her starring in Kick-Ass 2 and Kimberly Peirce's Carrie remake. The Equalizer is aiming for a April 11, 2014 release.