A blockbuster sequel that struggled to find its footing at the global box office
In short: The 2021 action comedy Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard reunited a high-profile cast for a chaotic mission across Europe. Despite the star power of Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek, the film faced a lukewarm reception from critics and failed to replicate the financial success of its 2017 predecessor.
Directed by Patrick Hughes, the film follows the suspended bodyguard Michael Bryce, played by Ryan Reynolds, as he is pulled back into the fray by hitman Darius Kincaid and his wife, Sonia. The trio attempts to thwart a Greek billionaire named Aristotle Papadopoulos, who intends to cripple the European power grid as retribution for economic sanctions. The plot spans multiple European locations, including Italy and Croatia, and features a complex web of betrayals involving Bryce's own stepfather, who serves as the antagonist's head of security.
The production process began in early 2019, with the film eventually reaching theaters in mid-2021 after delays caused by the global pandemic. Upon release, the movie struggled significantly. It earned approximately $70.1 million worldwide against a production budget of $70 million, a sharp decline compared to the performance of the first installment. Critics were largely unimpressed, with many reviews citing stale genre tropes and a lack of genuine humor, resulting in low scores on major review aggregation platforms.
Despite the commercial and critical disappointment, the creative team behind the project has expressed interest in continuing the franchise. Director Patrick Hughes has noted that the film's conclusion, which sees the protagonist trapped in an unexpected domestic arrangement with his former associates, provides a foundation for future installments. Hughes has suggested that the character of Michael Bryce could face endless further misfortune, indicating that the studio may pursue additional entries in the series regardless of the sequel's initial reception.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard
- Also: Wikidata — Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard · CC0
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