Below, Bryce talks ’s Wife’s Bodyguardand why being an Aussie helps him wrangle all-star casts.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was Salma Hayek like on set?
In the best way, she does seem to be trying to steal every scene she’s in.
Hitman’s Wife’s Bodyguard.Credit: David Appleby/Lionsgate
PATRICK HUGHES:Oh yeah.
She’s like a bulldozer.
It is a balancing act in the edit.
Director Patrick Hughes.Austin Hargrave
It’s like, how much is too much?
What’s the tipping point?
So it’s trying to find that balance and that rhythm of the film.
Ilaughed a lot watching the movie.
Was it in the script or an improv?
I work very closely with Ryan.
We have this ongoing conversation.
If you could see our text chain it just goes on and on and on.
We both think of the craziest ideas.
He’s a creative force, he really is a storyteller, and he’s an incredible writer.
So we’re constantly just bouncing ideas.
That one’s his 100 percent.
The Chucky doll line is his.
That’s got Ryan all over it.
Antonio Banderas plays the film’s villain, a Greek shipping magnate.
How did you come to cast him?
I’d worked with Antonio before and he’s incredibly funny.
He could do stand-up.
We took inspiration from that exuberant wealth.
I actually put a file together of this billionaire lifestyle that these people live.
I’m not sure what it is, but when you become a billionaire you start wearing weird clothes.
So we just went out on his wardrobe and his hair and his spray tan and the whole bit.
He had a lot of fun with it.
I imagine that people like Frank Grillo and Morgan Freeman have strong opinions about things.
What is the secret to being a movie star-whisperer in that fashion?
I guess I’ve got a reputation in town.
I love working with actors, it’s my favorite part of the job.
My dad was an actor and I grew up in that world.
I think the trick is being able to deal with so many different personality types.
In some respects also I think it’s the Australian attitude, strong-headed, strong-willed, strong bullshit radars.
I’ll cut people down.
That’s a real place!
Clearly this idea doesn’t haunt you at all.
[Laughs] Not all all!
Not at all, mate!
If this movie is successful, do you have any ideas for a threequel?
There’s a discussion in place, so let’s see what happens.
Watch the trailer forHitman’s Wife’s Bodyguardabove.
