2 Guns stars Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg as operatives from competing bureaus forced to go on the run together, only neither one is aware that the other is an undercover federal agent.
Wahlberg signed on to the project in the early stages and was glad to have Washington come aboard: “We have great chemistry. We’ve known each other for a while, and this is the perfect piece of material for both of us to show a different side of ourselves. People [will] be very surprised to see how playful Denzel can be. I remember shooting our very first scene, and every take I would do something completely different. He said, ‘Oh, I see what’s happening here,’ and he jumped right onboard.”
Washington came to the film looking for a character lighter than those he typically plays. “I was looking to depart from heavier roles, and when I read this script it really made me laugh.”
Filming 2 Guns wasn’t all laughs, however. Though both stars have action-film experience, some of the stunts in this film were out of the ordinary.
Wahlberg explains what it was like to be strung up by his feet and pummeled by a baseball bat, in a scene that takes place on a large cattle ranch. “I didn’t like being upside down. Denzel didn’t want to hang upside down too long either, so we shot the essentials and got out of there.” Washington adds dryly, “My back is better now, much better, but I had fun doing that scene. Mark and I were both game and went for it.”
Wahlberg and Washington also share screen time with some very big costars, at least one of which may not have been so keen to share the space with the two actors. As Wahlberg says, “Working with cattle is a completely different ball game.” And Washington continues, “That bull tried to steal the scene. He actually kicked his feet and started snorting at us, but thank goodness that the fence was between us. That was one big, mean animal. With a bull snorting at you, that’s enough to tell your secrets.”
2 Guns is available starting Nov. 19 on Video On Demand. Check your cable system for availability.
© 2013 Universal Studios
Credit: Patti Perret
