Nobody 2 Director Explains How Bob Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell Differs From John Wick

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Although Keanu Reeves’ John Wick is universally recognized as an action hero, Bob Odenkirk’s character Hutch Mansell in the 2021 movie Nobody certainly holds his ground in this category. Hutch was a humble family man, living with his wife Becca (Connie Nielson), and their children Sammy (Paisley Cadorath) and Brady (Gage Munroe). He had retired from his previous profession, but one particularly challenging day forced him to confront his past once more.

In the case of “Nobody 2,” which generated significant anticipation following the footage Universal unveiled at CinemaCon earlier this year, Hutch is attempting another escape from his circumstances. However, given that it’s a sequel, it seems things don’t exactly pan out smoothly for him.

In a conversation with Russ Milheim from TopMob, director Timo Tjahjanto opened up about the differences between the character Hutch Mansell in Nobody 2 and John Wick, shared his personal touch added to the movie, and explained the reasoning behind choosing a rundown waterpark as the setting for the sequel.

As a passionate cinema enthusiast, I’d express the difference between Bob Odenkirk’s Hutch Mansell in “Nobody 2” and Keanu Reeves’ John Wick this way: Timo Tjahjanto, the director of “Nobody 2”, pointed out that unlike the invincible and unbeatable John Wick, Hutch Mansell is a man who is neither invulnerable nor indestructible. Moreover, there’s an authentic charm to him, a sense of relatability that comes from a guy who still finds joy in simple things like wearing shorts, sporting a Hawaiian shirt, and embarking on a road trip.

Tjahjanto mentioned that his past films have often been marked by a darker and more brutal tone, but what truly attracted him to the Nobody 2 project was the concept of a violent character who learns that his family is his most important asset. He referred to this as the core theme of the film, stating that the violence is simply a backdrop or decoration for the story’s heartfelt message.

Continue reading below for further conversation between TopMob and Tjahjanto. The sequel to “Nobody,” titled “Nobody 2,” is set to premiere in cinemas on August 15, 2025.

Nobody 2 Director Talks About Bringing His Own Signature Touch to the Sequel

For Timo Tjahjanto, the Heart of the Film is in the Family.

  • TopMob: “Coming into this sequel, having not been on the first one, what did you want to do in terms of making sure you gave your own signature touch to the film?”

Timo Tjahjanto: To be honest, it’s quite amusing since I was a big fan of the initial movie, wasn’t I? There’s an eerie and utterly strange aspect to it. It reminded me somewhat of a European art house film. Strangely enough, that movie carries a certain unique vibe, a touch that resonates with me.

In my past films, they’ve typically been quite grim and brutal. However, something in this script captivated me – it centers around family themes, which I found deeply compelling. The concept of a violent individual discovering that his family is the key to success resonated with me. So, I thought to myself, why not create a film centered on that idea? That’s essentially the core message of this movie.

The violence can serve as a backdrop, adding an edge yet keeping it light-hearted and engaging. However, at the core, the message must still resonate: Hutch Mansell’s life seems unimaginable without Becca or his children. Once we discuss this with Bob Odenkirk and the studio, they will form the emotional backbone of the film. I’m definitely on board for that project.

On How Hutch Mansell Differs From John Wick

“Hutch Mansell Is Not Invincible.”

  • TopMob: “Many people are quick to compare something like this to John Wick. How would you say that this movie is a different beast compared to those films?”

Timo Tjahjanto noted that John Wick is renowned for its larger-than-life character, reminiscent of a legend. On the other hand, with Hutch, he believes the key aspect is the relatability – a man who, despite his past, finds joy in casual attire like shorts and Hawaiian shirts, and embarking on a road trip. It’s safe to say that at some point, many of us have found ourselves embodying that carefree spirit.

It seems like everyone could use some time away from daily life. Perhaps, for each of us, there’s a particular haven we recall, such as Disneyland, Universal Studios, or somewhere similar. Therefore, despite his aggressive nature, Hutch remains the kind of person he is.

As a cinema enthusiast, let me say that the most compelling aspect of this movie lies in the portrayal of Hutch Mansell as not an invulnerable hero. Instead, he’s shown to be vulnerable and mortal, taking quite a beating throughout the film. It’s refreshing to see such realism in an action movie, as it makes the character more relatable and human. This vulnerability adds depth to the plot, making Hutch Mansell’s journey more believable and engaging for the audience.

Nobody 2 Director Explains Why the Rundown Water Park Was the Best Location for the Sequel

There Are a Few Reasons Why This Water Park Worked So Well.

  • TopMob: “I want to address the location and setting for this second film. Just in your own words, why the rundown small town kind of beat up water park? Why was that the perfect location to set the story in?”

Timo Tjahjanto finds a humorous angle in the situation, often conversing with Bob about reminiscing past experiences. For instance, Bob might joke about going back to an amusement park after many years and realizing that it isn’t as exciting as remembered, implying things aren’t always what they seem over time.

When we’re young, we often view things with an overly optimistic perspective, which makes everything seem lovely and beautiful. This has definitely been my experience too.

Youth often causes us to view the world through rose-colored glasses, making it appear more beautiful than it might be in reality. I can relate to this personally.

It seems like from that point, we somewhat agreed, let’s go ahead with it then. To be honest, a dilapidated amusement park and water park are not desirable spots for many people to visit due to past accidents we have witnessed in such places. We share the concern.

Hey there! Suppose we’re on a water slide and a sharp object appears at the edge-could we potentially get tetanus or cut ourselves? Another concern is if a large swing suddenly broke loose and hit someone. These scenarios could make for some very dramatic scenes.

The full discussion can be viewed below:

Fans of action should be sure to check out TopMob’s interview with Ballerina star Ana de Armas.

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2025-08-14 23:22