Lucy Liu and Simon West Discuss the Surprising Dynamics of the Hitman Genre in ‘Old Guy’

In recent years, the cinematic “hitman genre”has seen a remarkable resurgence, characterized by notable entries such as Netflix’s *Hit Man*, featuring Glen Powell, and the iconic *John Wick* franchise led by Keanu Reeves. Now, joining this growing roster is *Old Guy*, a fresh offering from the seasoned action-comedy filmmaker Simon West.

At first glance, *Old Guy* might appear to be just another heist thriller. It follows a seasoned contract killer who unexpectedly becomes the mentor to a young, exuberant protégé. The storyline unfolds as they form a peculiar dynamic, take down antagonists, and ultimately wrap things up. However, right from the outset, *Old Guy* distinguishes itself in a refreshing way.

One of the standout features of *Old Guy* is its impressive cast, which includes acclaimed actors such as Christoph Waltz, Lucy Liu, and Cooper Hoffman. Waltz takes on the role of Danny Dolinski, a hitman on the verge of retirement. His supposed “final job”involves mentoring Wihlborg (portrayed by Hoffman), an easygoing Gen Z character who surprisingly shies away from firearms. Additionally, Liu plays Anata, a former love interest of Danny’s, harboring her own hidden truths.

Simon West and Lucy Liu Discuss the Film’s Star-Studded Cast

In a recent conversation with *The Mary Sue*, both Simon West and Lucy Liu delved into the unique collaboration of their trio of actors. Liu remarked, “I think it’s very unexpected to see the three of us together. I think that’s what makes it sort of a little bit off-kilter, which I think makes it interesting.”

Lucy Liu and Simon West on action, the "hit man" genre, and 'Old Guy' (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpaF9yK0Wio)

Given Liu’s background in action and martial arts, contrasted with Waltz and Hoffman’s more dramatic performances—save for their work with Quentin Tarantino—it’s clear that “unexpected” aptly describes this trio of talent.

Creating a Hitman You Can Root For: Insights from Simon West

Simon West shared his thoughts on the hitman genre, noting its adaptability and drawing parallels to the archetype of cowboys in Westerns. He stated, “In the old days, it would be a cowboy, but what kind of cowboy would it be? Would it have been a gunslinging professional, or would it be a rancher who’s bringing up a family? It’s a quick way to get into a world, but when you’re in that world, you’ve just got to turn it on its head and tell that character in a completely different way.”

So, what keeps audiences returning to films about hitmen? West believes that it transcends the allure of high-octane car chases and sophisticated weaponry. Instead, it’s about exploring the characters’ true selves during their downtime and how they navigate their relationships and lives outside of their contracts.

“Really, it’s what they do the rest of the time that’s sort of interesting. Shooting a gun accurately does not make a movie or an interesting story or character to be with. It’s really what they do the rest of the time when they visit that … do they have mothers, like in this one, our guy you know goes and has to clean the gutters out of his mother’s house. But he also goes and does a contract killing, so it’s what you do in that world that makes it different—not the fact that they’re a hitman.”

Liu further emphasizes this point by acknowledging that assassins have personal lives too. She mentions, “These are also human beings, and there’s a mundane part of their lives that is just like everybody else’s, and that’s what makes it funny and also quite dry. So it kind of isn’t too serious about itself, even though they’re living their lives quite seriously.”

*Old Guy* is currently available for viewing at home, as well as in select theaters across the country.

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