AA Discover the Astonishing Reality Behind 'Hit Man' on Netflix—Who Exactly Was Gary Johnson?
AA Richard Linklater's much-anticipated film, Hit Man, has finally made its debut on Netflix. As you indulge in this romantic action comedy, you might find yourself pondering whether Hit Man draws from a real-life narrative and if Gary Johnson, the character at the center, was indeed a fabricated contract killer in reality.
A A Led by Glen Powell, who also co-wrote the script, known for his role in Top Gun: Maverick, Hit Man follows the journey of Gary Johnson, a psychology professor who unexpectedly uncovers a knack for impersonating hitmen, complete with amusing disguises, accents, and mannerisms. He begins adopting false personas to ensnare criminals for the local authorities, but complications arise when he encounters Madison (played by Adria Arjona), a potential client with romantic intentions.
AA Madison initially seeks Johnson's services to eliminate her husband, but instead, she captures his affection, setting off a chain reaction of deception, amusement, and tangled identities, as described by Netflix's Tudum. In discussions with the streaming platform, Linklater characterized Hit Man as a tale revolving around themes of identity, self-discovery, and passion.
AA The director further explained, stating, "However, from a plot standpoint, it's essentially about a man who finds himself in over his head. Driven by his passions, he navigates a path where he deceives the person he loves while assuming a false identity. The film explores the aftermath of these choices."
AA The director had previously brought another Hollandsworth story to life with his 2011 film Bernie. However, he faced challenges in shaping a central narrative for the movie. Everything shifted when he crossed paths with Glen Powell. Collaboratively, they embarked on crafting Hit Man, which premiered on Netflix on June 7 following a brief run in theaters.
AA "I recall Glen suggesting, 'What if we deviate from the facts? What if we take some creative liberties?'" Linklater reminisced during his conversation with Netflix's Tudum.
AA Together, they opted to center the film on a particular anecdote from the article. In this narrative, Johnson refuses to cooperate with the police in setting up a sting operation to apprehend a woman who has hired him to eliminate her abuser, a decision that eventually sparks a romantic entanglement between them. Nonetheless, there exist significant disparities between Powell's portrayal of Gary Johnson and the actual individual he is based on.
AA The real-life inspiration behind Netflix's Hit Man, Gary Johnson, was indeed a college professor who moonlighted as a pseudo hitman for Houston's law enforcement. His exploits were chronicled in a 2001 Texas Monthly feature, depicting him as "the most sought-after professional killer in Houston," responsible for over sixty arrests through his undercover operations.
AA Johnson's journey began in 1981 when he sought admission to the University of Houston's psychology doctoral program. Denied entry, he pivoted to a position as an investigator for the district attorney's office. It wasn't until 1989 that his true calling emerged when he was tapped to handle a case involving Kathy Scott, a lab technician seeking a hitman to dispatch her husband. When the police caught wind of the scheme, Johnson was enlisted as their go-to operative.
AA Tasked with ensnaring individuals seeking contract killers, Johnson, equipped with recording gear, had to coax explicit murder requests from his targets before the police could intervene. Renowned Houston attorney Michael Hinton lauded Johnson's remarkable adaptability, dubbing him "the perfect chameleon" who convincingly assumed any role required.
AA Writer Skip Hollandsworth hailed Johnson as a virtuoso performer, capable of effortlessly navigating any scenario. While Hit Man draws from Johnson's exploits, some aspects diverge from reality. Director Linklater noted that while Johnson did employ slight disguises, Powell's portrayal in the film amplifies these elements to the extreme.
AA In reality, Johnson did assist an abuse victim targeted by her boyfriend, yet there's no substantiation to suggest the romantic involvement depicted in the film. Nevertheless, Johnson, akin to his portrayal on screen, grappled with romantic entanglements. The Texas Monthly profile highlights his three marriages and portrays him as a solitary figure, labeled "a loner" by his second wife.
AA Describing his demeanor, his second wife recounted that while he enjoyed social gatherings and appeared amiable, he ultimately preferred solitude and tranquility. She marveled at his ability to seamlessly adopt different personas, juxtaposing his affable demeanor with the notion of him being perceived as a ruthless killer.
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