Despite receiving mixed reviews from the critics, the 2017 action comedy The Hitman’s Bodyguard will get a sequel thanks to its success at the box office. The news was confirmed by Lionsgate studio at the American Film Market.
According to the press release, the sequel will see Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek reprising their roles from the original, while Patrick Hughes will return as a director. It remains unclear whether Tom O’Connor, who wrote the original, will return in the same role for the project.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard followed a bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds) who lands a job to protect a notorious hitman Darius Kincaid (Jackson), whose life is in danger after he decides to testify against an Eastern European dictator Vladislav Dukhovich (Gary Oldman). Hayek portrayed Darius’ wife Sonia in the movie.
The sequel will be titled The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard and will see Michael being convinced by Darius and Sonia to join them on a dangerous mission in Italy.
While the movie is still to receive a release date, the production is planned to start on March 2nd in Europe.
The Hitman’s Bodyguard was a surprise hit at the box office, earning $177 million compared to a $30 million budget.
