Lionsgate has unveiled the first red-band trailer for the action comedy The Hitman’s Bodyguard, and this is definitely something you’ll need headphones for if you’re at work. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as the world’s top protection agent, a man who is tasked with serving as the bodyguard for his mortal enemy, a notorious assassin played by Samuel L. Jackson. This is an action comedy through and through, and honestly this trailer is really funny as it plays the comedic strengths of both Reynolds and Jackson. Moreover, the duo have done their fair share of action films, so they really seem perfectly suited for a buddy comedy of this sort.

The Expendables 3 helmer Patrick Hughes directs, so the action itself should be fairly cinematic, and I’ll be curious to see how the story progresses. This is the kind of premise that lives or dies based on the chemistry of the two leads, but judging by this debut trailer Reynolds and Jackson are an excellent match. And who doesn't love a good The Bodyguard reference?

Watch the Hitman’s Bodyguard trailer below. The film also stars Gary Oldman, Salma Hayek, Elodie Yung, Joaquim De Almeida, Kirsty Mitchell, and Richard E. Grant. The Hitman’s Bodyguard opens in theaters on August 18th.

Here’s the official synopsis for The Hitman’s Bodyguard:

The world’s top protection agent [Ryan Reynolds] is called upon to guard the life of his mortal enemy, one of the world’s most notorious hitmen [Samuel L. Jackson]. The relentless bodyguard and manipulative assassin have been on the opposite end of the bullet for years and are thrown together for a wildly outrageous 24 hours. During their raucous and hilarious adventure from England to the Hague, they encounter high-speed car chases, outlandish boat escapades and a merciless Eastern European dictator [Gary Oldman] who is out for blood. Salma Hayek joins the mayhem as Jackson’s equally notorious wife. The film will be “hitting” your theatres on August 18.

 

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Image via Lionsgate