From the beginning, it seemed destined not to succeed. Training Day wasn’t well-made; the plot itself was unremarkable, and the story didn't stand out. What elevated it was Denzel Washington’s performance—truly exceptional work that made people enjoy the film. People weren’t drawn to Training Day because of its quality; they were captivated by how good Denzel was. Without Denzel, the movie simply falls flat. It would hold little interest, as it was only passable at best, and its lasting appeal rests on a single performance that continues to be discussed. It's likely people will still be referencing Denzel’s work in Training Day two decades from now. Let's face it, Ethan Hawke isn’t the reason anyone watches. The draw is Denzel’s role within the film. The fact that it was made in 2017 also brings up another issue: they changed the race of the antagonist, something people were already skeptical about at the time. It's a troubling sign; Washington's portrayal felt iconic, and a similar performance wouldn't be possible today simply because he is Black. I’m just saying that. The reality is that Denzel Washington’s race means we might miss out on another remarkable acting turn because Hollywood seems to believe villainous roles should only go to white actors. Consider the implications of that for a moment. It was arguably the best role of 2001, one that Denzel embodied perfectly and will be remembered for... but it couldn't be replicated today due to his race. Perhaps he could have been cast in Hawke’s part, but even then, he wouldn’t have had the same impact or power. That particular role just wasn’t suited for him in that way. Then came 2017, when they decided to recast the character and try to turn it into a television series—stripping away the one element everyone connected with, the sole reason people liked the movie: Denzel Washington.

Source on TMDB