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international

Roeterseiland sets the scene in The Hitman’s Bodyguard

Carlijn Schepers,
28 augustus 2017 - 11:02

The area surrounding the Roeterseiland campus serves as the backdrop for an important chase scene in the American action comedy, The Hitman’s Bodyguard. The film premiered last week in Dutch cinemas.

The blockbuster, directed by Patrick Hughes, tells the story of one of the best bodyguards in the world (Ryan Reynolds) who, after the murder of one of his clients, accepts a new client: a hitman (played by Samuel L. Jackson) to bolster his reputation. The hitman, meanwhile, has been called to testify at the International Court of Justice in The Hague. The pair are hounded through the city to prevent him from doing so.

Hot pursuit

The Amsterdam scenes, including footage of the Plantage Muidergracht and Roeterseiland (see map) were shot last year and include a hot pursuit that takes place close to Roeterseiland. The hitman races in his car, then swaps to speedboat as he crosses the canals from the Nieuwe Achtergracht to the Weespergracht. When filming, the crew used cars, trams, special effects and extras like UvA student Matias Araujo (19). ‘Yesterday I was full on camera, but not today,’ he told Folia in June. ‘I have no lines, otherwise I would have been paid more.’

Watch the trailers from The Hitman’s Bodyguard here. Pause the second clip at 1m 08s to see footage of Roetersstraat and movie theatre Kriterion.

The trailers:

This is the exact filming location: