Let’s be honest for a second. On paper, putting Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds in the same movie feels like trying to mix aged scotch with a sugary, neon-colored energy drink. One is the undisputed king of the "cool-headed but foul-mouthed" veteran vibe. The other is basically a human sentient cartoon who can’t stop talking even if his life depends on it.
They shouldn't work. But they do.
When we first saw Samuel Jackson and Ryan Reynolds together in the 2017 hit The Hitman’s Bodyguard, it wasn't just another buddy-cop derivative. It was a collision of two very specific types of movie stardom. It’s that weird, lightning-in-a-bottle chemistry that keeps people talking years after the sequels have left the theaters. Honestly, if you haven’t revisited their specific brand of bickering lately, you’re missing out on the most functional dysfunctional relationship in Hollywood history.
The Chemistry of Total Opposites
Hollywood loves a "mismatched pair." It’s a trope as old as time. You’ve got the straight man and the wildcard. But with Jackson and Reynolds, the roles are constantly shifting.
In The Hitman’s Bodyguard, Ryan Reynolds plays Michael Bryce, a "triple-A rated" executive protection agent who is, frankly, a bit of a tight-ass. He’s obsessed with seatbelts, planning, and meticulous safety. Then you have Samuel L. Jackson as Darius Kincaid, a world-class hitman who treats life like a giant, violent improvisation.
Kincaid’s motto? "When life gives you shit, make Kool-Aid."
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It makes no sense. Bryce hates it. We love it.
What’s wild is how they actually met. It wasn't on a movie set. According to Ryan, they actually crossed paths at a gym while he was training for Blade: Trinity (2004) and Sam was just being Sam. That real-life familiarity carries over. You can’t fake the way these two look at each other with a mix of genuine respect and "I want to throw you out of this moving vehicle."
Why the Critics Were Wrong (Sorta)
If you look at Rotten Tomatoes, the scores for their collaborations aren’t exactly "Oscar bait." The first film sits at a modest 44%. The sequel, The Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard (2021), plummeted even lower to around 26%.
But here’s the thing: audiences didn't care.
The first movie raked in over $176 million globally. Why? Because watching Samuel Jackson and Ryan Reynolds argue in a car for two hours is more entertaining than most "critically acclaimed" dramas. It’s about the delivery. When Sam Jackson calls Ryan a "little Glock-blocker," you can’t help but laugh. It’s petty. It’s loud. It’s exactly what a summer blockbuster should be.
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Breaking Down Their Best Moments Together
It isn't just the live-action stuff either. A lot of people forget they both voiced characters in the 2013 animated flick Turbo. Yeah, the one about the racing snail. Sam played Whiplash, and Ryan was the lead snail, Theo.
Even in animation, the dynamic is there. Sam is the mentor/leader with the deep, authoritative growl, and Ryan is the fast-talking underdog.
The Art of the "Motherf***er"
There is a specific scene in The Hitman’s Bodyguard where Bryce (Reynolds) laments how Kincaid (Jackson) has single-handedly ruined the word "motherf***er" for him. It’s meta. It’s a nod to Jackson’s entire career. Only an actor with Reynolds’ specific brand of "hangdog snark" could pull off that line without it feeling like cheap fan service.
What’s Actually Happening in 2026?
Right now, everyone is asking the same thing: will there be a third one?
As of early 2026, the rumors are swirling, but the reality is a bit more complicated. Both actors are basically the pillars of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With Avengers: Doomsday and Secret Wars in the pipeline, their schedules are tighter than Bryce’s seatbelts.
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There was a fan-made concept trailer that went viral recently—you might’ve seen it—suggesting a "Red List" plot featuring Jake Gyllenhaal. It looked great, but it was just that: fan-made.
The box office for the second film was also a bit rocky, pulling in roughly $70 million on a $70 million budget. In Hollywood math, that’s a "flop." But with the movies finding a massive second life on streaming platforms like Peacock and Netflix, the demand for more Samuel Jackson and Ryan Reynolds content hasn't actually dipped.
The MCU Connection
We can’t talk about these two without mentioning the elephant in the room: Deadpool and Nick Fury. While they haven't shared a scene in the MCU yet (seriously, Marvel, what are you waiting for?), the prospect of Nick Fury trying to manage Deadpool is the "holy grail" for most comic book fans.
Imagine Fury’s stoic frustration meeting Deadpool’s fourth-wall-breaking insanity. It would basically be The Hitman's Bodyguard with superpowers and a much higher budget for CGI explosions.
Lessons from the Duo
So, what can we actually learn from this pairing? Aside from the fact that Salma Hayek is the only person who can truly intimidate both of them (her performance as Sonia Kincaid is a god-tier scene-stealer), there are a few takeaways:
- Chemistry beats script: Sometimes a "mid" script is saved by actors who genuinely enjoy working together.
- Lean into your brand: Jackson knows he’s the "coolest guy in the room," and Reynolds knows he’s the "most annoying guy in the room." They play to those strengths perfectly.
- Streaming is the new savior: If a movie fails at the box office but stays in the Top 10 on Netflix for three weeks, the actors’ "duo value" actually goes up.
What You Should Do Next
If you're a fan of this pair and want to see more of that specific energy, here are your best bets:
- Watch the "making of" clips: The outtakes from the Hitman series are arguably funnier than the movies. Their improv is top-tier.
- Track their 2026 MCU rumors: Keep an eye on the Avengers casting announcements. Even a 30-second cameo of them together would break the internet.
- Revisit Turbo: If you have kids (or just like snails), go back and listen to the voice work. It’s a totally different way to appreciate their vocal chemistry.
The bottom line? Whether they're protecting witnesses or racing snails, Samuel Jackson and Ryan Reynolds represent a type of Hollywood fun that doesn't take itself too seriously. In a world of gritty reboots and confusing multiverses, sometimes you just want to watch two guys who clearly like each other yell at each other while stuff blows up in the background. And honestly? That's enough.