Ryan Reynolds' character is dragged out of retirement once again for another adventure with Samuel L. Jackson and Salma Hayek in the new movie The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard.
It's a sequel to 2017's surprise hit The Hitman's Bodyguard, and catches up with bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds), notorious hitman Darius Kincaid (Jackson) and his wife Sonia Kincaid (Salma Hayek).
The release of the film, like many others, was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic but it's almost out in theaters. Here's everything you need to know ahead of the release.
When is The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard out in cinemas?
Studio Lionsgate Films had planned to release the action sequel on August 28, 2020. Unfortunately the pandemic delayed the movie and it was initially given a release date in August 2021.
Fortunately for fans of the original, the release date was brought forward and it's now set to play in cinemas in the U.S. on June 16.
Unlike many films being released in 2021, there is no dual home release, so the only place you'll be able to watch The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard for now is in a movie theater.
Who is in The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard?
The three stars of the original, Reynolds, Jackson and Hayek, are all back and on fine form for the sequel.
Antonio Banderas is cast in a villainous role, playing shipping tycoon Aristotle Papadopoulos. Morgan Freeman is also cast as a character that will appear incredibly familiar to Reynolds' Michael Bryce.
Other actors cast in the sequel include Frank Grillo and Tom Hopper, while Richard E. Grant reprises his role as Mr. Seifert from the first movie.
Freeman was keen to join the film to work with Jackson again, and with Reynolds for the first time. In a press statement sent to Newsweek, Freeman said: "Sam Jackson is phenomenal. We worked together in New York back in the 80s when he was a kid, and we haven't worked together since. But I've seen almost every movie he's ever made and always admired his actor's chops.
He has just as much respect for his other two co-stars despite not being as familiar with them. On Reynolds and Hayek, he said: "I didn't know Ryan except through his work, and that's as good a come-on as you can get. He's smooth, easygoing, and very giving on set.
"And Salma? Well, I have fun working with any actor who's having fun working, and you can tell that she is," he said.
The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard is out in cinemas in the United States and Canada on Wednesday June 16, 2021.
Uncommon Knowledge
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jamie Burton is a Newsweek Senior TV and Film Reporter (Interviews) based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
