The action thriller “Nobody” took audiences by surprise when it was released in 2021. What looked like a quiet suburban drama turned into one of the most entertaining action-packed revenge films of the decade. With Bob Odenkirk leading the way as Hutch Mansell — a family man hiding a brutal past as a trained assassin — the movie instantly became a cult favorite.
Now, with “Nobody 2” in theaters, Odenkirk is back, and this time the stakes are higher, the locations bigger, and the fight scenes even more inventive. At the heart of the sequel is one of its most talked-about set pieces: the duck boat fight scene.
The film’s stunt coordinator, Greg Rementer, recently revealed how this wild sequence came together, why it was inspired by Odenkirk’s childhood, and how the actor pushed himself beyond his limits to deliver every punch and kick.
The Story Setup: Hutch on Vacation Gone Wrong
In Nobody 2, Hutch is trying to do what most dads want — spend quality time with his family. After years of balancing his suburban life with the shadows of his assassin past, Hutch wants nothing more than a break. He takes his wife, Becca (played by Connie Nielsen), and their kids on a summer getaway to a waterpark resort in the fictional town of Plummerville.
But as is always the case with Hutch, trouble follows. Plummerville is far from a peaceful vacation spot. It’s run by a corrupt sheriff (Colin Hanks) and secretly serves as a front for Lendina, a ruthless money launderer played by Sharon Stone.
What starts as a small altercation quickly escalates into a showdown, pulling Hutch back into the violent world he desperately wanted to leave behind.
From Buses to Boats – Doubling Down on Action
One of the standout moments from the first Nobody was the infamous bus fight scene, where Hutch unleashed his fury on a group of thugs. Fans immediately wondered how the sequel could top it.
For Nobody 2, stunt coordinator Greg Rementer wanted something fresh but equally jaw-dropping. That’s when Bob Odenkirk shared a childhood memory:
“I remember going on these duck boats when I would go to the Wisconsin Dells as a kid.”
That memory sparked the idea for a fight sequence set entirely on a duck boat, a tourist attraction that’s part bus, part boat.
Initially, Rementer assumed they would film on a stationary boat against a blue screen. Instead, the team surprised him — the sequence would be shot on an actual boat in the water.
That choice expanded the possibilities dramatically. The movement of the boat, the interaction with the water, and the realism of the setting created an unpredictable and immersive fight scene that audiences won’t forget.
Designing the Duck Boat Fight
Creating a fight scene on a moving boat came with unique challenges. Rementer and his team at 87North, the action design company behind John Wick and Atomic Blonde, drew inspiration from Jackie Chan’s choreography style. That meant using every available object on the boat as a potential weapon.
They brainstormed:
- Would the boat tip under weight and movement?
- Could everyday items be turned into improvised weapons?
- How would passengers react amid chaos?
The early version of the fight was what Rementer called a “smorgasbord” — packed with different gags and extended choreography. Eventually, the director trimmed it down to focus on the tightest, most impactful sequences while keeping the humor alive.
One clever element? The fight cuts away at times to show oblivious tourists on the boat, blissfully unaware of the chaos happening around them. These comedic beats give the audience a chance to breathe while raising the tension for what’s next.
Odenkirk’s Relentless Training
Bob Odenkirk’s transformation from comedy actor to action star stunned Hollywood in the first Nobody. But according to Rementer, the secret to his success is his work ethic.
Even between films, Odenkirk never stopped training. For Nobody 2, he worked daily to maintain his fitness and fighting abilities.
“He’s training every morning at like, 6 a.m. on his own, in the gym. Every day he’s doing 100 pull-ups, 100 punches on both sides, 100 kicks,” Rementer revealed.
This dedication allowed Odenkirk to handle longer fight sections without the need for constant camera cuts or stunt doubles. In fact, the stunt coordinator admitted that one of the joys of working with Odenkirk is that he does almost everything himself.
“Nobody wants to see anybody else do it except you. So, we’re going to shape that to your skill set. And I’m going to push you past your limits of the first one.”
And Odenkirk was all in. He embraced the challenge, proving he’s not just a temporary action star but a fully committed performer in the genre.
How the Scene Stands Out from the First Film
The bus fight in Nobody worked because it was a release of pent-up frustration. Hutch had been holding back his true identity, and that moment let him explode with rage.
The duck boat fight, however, is the opposite. Here, Hutch is trying to restrain himself — to control the chaos instead of unleashing it. That contrast makes the sequel fresh while still honoring what fans loved in the original.
It also reflects Hutch’s growth. He’s not the same man he was in the first film. He’s more self-aware, more protective of his family, and more in control of his assassin instincts.
Why Fans Are Excited for “Nobody 2”
The success of the Nobody franchise lies in its combination of brutal action and dark comedy. With the sequel, the filmmakers are proving that lightning can strike twice by delivering something bigger yet character-driven.
The duck boat fight is already being hailed as a signature action sequence that blends creativity, danger, and humor in a way only this franchise can.
More importantly, Bob Odenkirk’s continued dedication ensures the authenticity of Hutch’s journey. Viewers aren’t watching a stunt double — they’re watching Odenkirk himself, throwing punches, dodging attacks, and pushing his limits.
Final Thoughts
“Nobody 2” isn’t just another action sequel — it’s proof that Bob Odenkirk has fully cemented his place as a modern action star. The duck boat fight scene, born from a childhood memory and executed with meticulous stunt choreography, is a highlight that fans will be talking about long after leaving theaters.
With Rementer’s innovative stunt design, Odenkirk’s relentless training, and the movie’s balance of intensity and humor, Nobody 2 shows that Hutch Mansell’s story still has plenty of fight left in it.