The sequel to ‘The Hitman’s Bodyguard’ will now include Antonio Banderas, along with returning cast member Richard E. Grant. The film is under the title of ‘The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.’ Revenge of the Fans was the first to report on Banderas’ casting.
Banderas recently got a Golden Globe nomination for his performance as Pablo Picasso in the second season in Nat Geo’s ‘Genius.’ This year, he has the Netflix and Steven Soderbergh film ‘The Laundromat,’ which is this fall, and 20th Century Fox’s ‘The New Mutants,’ releasing August 2nd. For January 17, 2020, he will be in Universal’s The Voyage of Doctor Dolittle,’ with Robert Downey Jr. leading.
Grant is back in the role of Seifert, from the first film. He recently got an Academy Award nomination for his role in Fox Searchlight’s ‘Can You Ever Forgive Me?.’ He was also in Disney’s ‘The Nutcracker and the Four Realms,’ and the third and final season of Netflix’s ‘A Series of Unfortunate Events.’ He will be seen in the upcoming ‘Star Wars: Episode IX,’ releasing December 20th.
Additionally, Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, and Salma Hayek will all be reprising their roles from the first movie.
The logline is below:
“Bodyguard Michael Bryce (Reynolds), is enlisted by Darius Kincaid (Jackson) and Sonia Kincaid (Hayek) to join them on a mission along the Amalfi Coast. They then unwillingly go to the side of the good guys as they battle to save Europe from a vengeful and powerful zealot with a dangerously over-developed sense of national pride.”
Newcomer Frank Grillo will play an Interpol agent who needs the help of Bryce and the Kincaids to prevent a cyber attack in Europe. Also, Morgan Freeman recently came aboard the cast.
Side-note: This will mark the first time Freeman and Jackson have been in a film together.
Moreover, Patrick Hughes is returning to direct, as well as Tom O’Connor for the screenplay. The budget is reportedly $70 million, over double the amount of the first film’s $30 million.
Further, filming is currently underway in the Amalfi Coast, Italy. They’ll also be shooting in Croatia and London, England. Other locations could include Scotland and Bulgaria.
Lionsgate has not given the film a release date yet.
Source: Deadline and Revenge of the Fans