Salma Hayek slapped Ryan Reynolds shockingly hard in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard. In 2017, Reynolds starred as the titular bodyguard, Michael Bryce, alongside Samuel L. Jackson's hitman, Darius Kincaid, in the action-comedy, The Hitman's Bodyguard. The buddy comedy was a surprise hit at the box office, grossing $180 million to go with mixed reviews that praised the chemistry between the two stars but also panned the plot and poor execution.
Now, Reynolds and Jackson will join forces again for The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, which will see Salma Hayek return as Darius Kincaid’s wife, Sonia. Like many tent poles scheduled for a release in 2020, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard’s release was pushed back an entire year from the summer of 2020 to August 2021. To likely capitalize on the early summer movie rush, Lionsgate recently bumped the film’s release up to June. As the film gears up for its theatrical debut next month, the cast has been making the press rounds, sharing funny stories and behind-the-scenes tidbits.
In a recent interview with Variety, Reynolds shared that Hayek slapped him shockingly hard. If that wasn’t enough for his “soft Hollywood cheekbones” (Reynolds' words), Jackson also got in on the action once as well. For those wondering who hits harder, here’s how Reynolds recounted the several slappings he received in The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard:
I’m slapped in the face twice by Salma and once by Samuel L. Jackson. For the record, it was Salma who didn’t pull the punches. Not even once. I can still feel the sharp sting of her tiny hand working its way into my soft Hollywood cheekbones. May God have mercy on her soul.
While Hayek only appeared on-screen in the first Hitman’s Bodyguard film for a few minutes, Sonia will be the focal point of the sequel, as indicated by the title. The film's trailer seems to suggest Reynolds' character will be on a sabbatical from bodyguarding when his vacation is disrupted by Sonia Kincaid, the titular hitman’s wife who needs Michael’s help to save her husband from the mafia. Antonio Banderas will star as the main antagonist, Aristotle Papadopolous.
Hayek seems to be making the most out of her increased involvement in the sequel by slapping Reynolds not only once, but twice. While he did not provide much context for the slap, it will probably be in response to Michael’s reluctance in joining her on a dangerous mission to save her husband. While there was already plenty of anticipation for The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard, this anecdote must attract just a few more eyeballs who desperately want to see the Deadpool star slapped by Hayek.
Source: Variety
