Samuel L. Jackson shares behind the scenes shot of him and on-screen wife Salma Hayek, wearing a blonde wig, from The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard. The movie, which was set to be released in August this year, but was pushed back a full year to August 20, 2021, due to the coronavirus pandemic, is a sequel to the surprise 2017 hit The Hitman's Bodyguard. The original followed Ryan Reynolds' corporate bodyguard Michael Bryce, who is hired to protect Jackson's notorious hitman Darius Kincaid, who is set to testify against a Belarussian dictator (Gary Oldman).
Hayek also appeared in the film as Kincaid's incarcerated wife, Sonia, who is set to be released in exchange for his testimony. The first film was a silly, over-the-top action thriller that used the word "motherf---er" as liberally as possible, and featured several ridiculous action scenes. Despite its generic plot, it was an otherwise enjoyable romp, with Jackson and Reynolds' chemistry playing a large part in its success. That led to a sequel, which will focus on Hayek's character as the one in need of protection this time. A poster released in June put her front and center, and now we've got another look at her and Jackson in character.
Jackson posted a photo of him and Hayek in character on Instagram to celebrate the actress's 54th birthday on Wednesday. The candid behind the scenes shot looks to have been taken in Venice, with Jackson in typical scowling form wearing a black beanie and jacket while Hayek dons a blonde wig and skintight leather outfit. Jackson calls Hayek the best "dopest screen wife ever" and adds that the glamorous actress seems to be aging backward. You can see the post below.
The blonde wig may be surprising for Hayek's character, given that wasn't exactly her look in the first film, but it makes sense given that the plot of the sequel revolves around her and the two male leads teaming up for a new mission in Italy. One assumes, then, that the wig is part of a disguise of some sort that Hayek's character uses while she's on the mission. The upcoming sequel features not only the original three cast members but also Richard E. Grant returning as the drug-addicted Mr. Seifert, a former client of Reynolds' Bryce.
Also featured in the sequel will be The Umbrella Academy's Tom Hooper, Antonio Banderas, Frank Grillo, and veteran star Morgan Freeman. Their roles are all under wraps, but it's a good bet that a great deal of them will be playing bad guys. If the sequel is anything like the original, expect more over-the-top action scenes, with Hooper and Grillo seem made for, as well as more sweary banter between the leads. The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard will be out in just under a year.
Source: Samuel L. Jackson/Instagram