There are many reasons an actor chooses to be a part of a project. Whether it is the storyline, a hefty paycheck, or the opportunity to work with a renowned filmmaker, who knows what can attract someone to a film or a series? For Ryan Reynolds though, his co-actors seem to play an essential role in the criteria.
In fact, Ryan Reynolds was in The Hitman’s Bodyguard only because he got to work with Samuel L. Jackson. The former revealed that when he was handed the script for the Patrick Hughes-directed movie, his only question was whether Samuel L. Jackson would be in the film or not. If not, then Ryan Reynolds was walking out the door, without thinking twice.
Ryan Reynolds’ Wanted to Work With Samuel L. Jackson
In an interview with LA Times, Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson were asked about the thing that appealed to them the most about the script. Reynolds quickly said he wouldn’t have played the role of Michael Bryce if Jackson was not in the movie. He then revealed how he met the Secret Invasion actor more than a decade ago.
“I wasn’t going to do it unless he would. I just got the script and said, ‘Would Sam Jackson do it? Then I’ll do it.’ I’ve wanted to work with Sam so badly. Sam is someone I’ve known for 12 years. We met in physical therapy. I was training for Blade 3 and I was having my shoulder fixed, and he was having something else fixed. I would see him there every day.”
Reynolds also stated that the first movie in which he truly noticed Jackson’s talent was True Romance, adding, “I’ve been a fan of his ever since. He always brings it.”
Despite the bromance between the two actors and a star-studded cast that includes Salma Hayek and Gary Oldman, The Hitman’s Bodyguard didn’t quite hit the mark. With a 43% Rotten Tomatoes score, it received mixed reviews from critics. One even stated that the film wasted its talented actors. At the box office, the movie reeled in $183 million on a budget between $30-69 million.
Samuel L. Jackson Praises Ryan Reynolds
It looks like Jackson was also attracted to The Hitman’s Bodyguard because of his co-star. He told LA Times that he had a gut feeling that he would love working with the Deadpool star simply based on the minimal interactions he had with him.
“Anyway, I knew what Ryan did. I knew his job. I knew he worked and I’d seen enough of it. I knew that I enjoyed watching it, and I figured I’d have a good time working with him from the few interactions we had. I had no compunctions about working with him.”
Jackson also added that he, too, wanted to work with Reynolds. He stated,
“I liked Ryan and wanted to work with him. He has a wide array of stuff that he’s done. And like I told him, I’ve really loved watching him act by himself in that coffin [in Buried.] That’s when you go, ‘OK, that guy’s got something.’”
Reynolds and Jackson previously worked together on Turbo (2013) where they lent their voices to Turbo and Whiplash, respectively. The Hitman’s Bodyguard was the duo’s first live-action film together and they went on to reprise their roles in the sequel, Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.
And now, thanks to Deadpool finally being an official part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s only a matter of time before he crosses paths with Jackson’s Nick Fury. We cannot wait for the reunion!
The Hitman’s Bodyguard is available to rent or buy on Prime Video.
Source: LA Times
