Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson are both extremely charismatic performers, and in The Hitman’s Bodyguard they’re set to square off against one another in what looks to be a bloody action comedy. The conceit, as spelt out in this second trailer, is that Reynolds is playing Michael Bryce, a special protection agent responsible for ensuring his clients don’t get blown up, shot, decapitated or poisoned. But now he’s facing the trickiest job of his career in protecting Darius Kincaid (Samuel L. Jackson), a hitman on his way to the International Court of Justice to testify against a bloodthirsty dictator.
The two clearly have some history which each other and try to murder one another the second they meet. As an exasperated Reynolds says, “he’s tried to kill me 27 times… 28 times!” What follows is a kinetic, fast-paced road movie buddy comedy, during which the two foster an uneasy friendship as they dodge a ruthless Eastern European dictator. The trailer also gives us a peek at the impressive supporting cast, which includes Salma Hayek as Darius’ equally dangerous wife, Gary Oldman as the villainous dictator and Richard E. Grant as one of Bryce’s first clients.
The film is helmed by Patrick Hughes, who’s primarily known for The Expendables 3. If he’s a good enough action director to get the Sly Stallone seal of approval, well, then that’s good enough for me. Let’s just hope he can capture both leads’ innate charisma (he has at least, judging by this trailer, realized that you can’t have Jackson say “motherfu*ker” too many times in a movie).
The Hitman’s Bodyguard shoots its way into theatres on August 18th.
