Upcoming sequel The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard has cast The Umbrella Academy star Tom Hopper. The first film in the burgeoning action-comedy series hit theaters in the summer of 2017, and marked Ryan Reynolds’ first big box office draw since the enormous success of Deadpool the previous year.
Starring Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Gary Oldman and Selma Hayek, The Hitman’s Bodyguard follows Reynolds as disgraced former elite private bodyguard Michael Bryce, who finds himself forced to accompany imprisoned assassin Darius Kincaid (Jackson) to the Hague in order to testify against brutal Belarusian dictator Vladislav Dukhovich (Oldman). Along the way, Bryce and Kincaid face an unexpected onslaught of assassins sent by Dukhovich, leading the two men to form a humorous bond. Though critics weren’t wild about The Hitman’s Bodyguard, the onscreen chemistry between Hayek, Reynolds and Jackson was often cited as one of the best overall components of the film.
Despite its mixed reviews from critics, the financial success of The Hitman’s Bodyguard and the promise of more onscreen fun from Hayek, Reynolds and Jackson means a sequel is on its way from Lionsgate. Filming is currently underway in Croatia and Italy and according to Deadline, the production has just added Hopper to the cast. Hopper is most recently known as Luther Hargreeves in the popular Netflix series The Umbrella Academy, and will be playing another bodyguard called Magnusson.
The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, will see the main cast from its 2017 predecessor return, along with director Patrick Hughes and a script by the original film’s writer Tom O’Connor. The story will follow Reynolds, Jackson and Hayek as they’re forced to take on a crazed nationalist who aims to control Europe. Though we know that Hopper will play bodyguard Magnusson, it’s unclear at present as to whether his character will be a villain or a hero. Should Magnusson be on the side of Reynolds, Jackson and Hayek, it’ll be interesting to see what The Umbrella Academy star will bring to the already established chemistry of the first film’s cast. In addition to Reynolds, Jackson and Hayek, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard will also star Morgan Freeman, Frank Grillo, Antonio Banderas and Oscar-nominee Richard E. Grant.
The action-comedy genre is often a popular one with audiences, though it’s by no means a guarantee of success. Past films in the genre like the Kingsman series or Reynold’s own Deadpool franchise have really given audiences a reason to appreciate the genre. With its exotic locales and winning onscreen chemistry, The Hitman’s Bodyguard might be a series that grows with each successive installment. First and foremost, however, is the need for The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard to build on the small but intriguing momentum that its predecessor created. The new film’s title isn’t a particularly exciting one, but its locales and cast do seem to be upping the ante enough to potentially draw in more moviegoers.
More: 40 Worst Movie Titles Of All Time
Source: Deadline
