The next action movie from Nobody helmer Ilya Naishuller will feature two big names with Idris Elba and John Cena attached to the lead roles. Last year, Elba and Cena appeared together in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, and their interactions made for some of the film's most entertaining moments. More of their onscreen chemistry will be on display for Heads of State, a new action-comedy film in the works from Amazon Studios with Naishuller in the director's chair. Per THR, Peter Safran, who just recently was appointed co-CEO and co-chair of DC Studios alongside Gunn, is producing the movie with John Rickard of The Safran Company.
The screenplay for the film was originally penned by Harrison Query (My Wife and I Bought a Ranch) with revisions by Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec (Netflix's upcoming Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley). In the film, Elba and Cena will play unlikely partners who are "in over their heads in a high-stakes situation." No further details have yet been revealed about the plot of the film, but it's said to have a vibe that feels like "Air Force One meets Midnight Run."
Along with having popular names in the lead roles, Heads of State will also draw intrigue with Naishuller in the director's chair. Last year, the director released the hit action flick Nobody, which was written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad and featured Better Call Saul star Bob Odenkirk as an unlikely vigilante. There has since been talk of that film getting a sequel. Naishuller also directed the unique action movie Hardcore Henry which was shown from a first-person perspective of the protagonist.
John Cena and Idris Elba Will Reunite for Heads of State
While they'll be playing different characters, the film seems promising with Idris Elba and John Cena in the lead. Their scenes together in The Suicide Squad were highly entertaining, and Elba has spoken about the dynamic he had working with Cena on the film. Perhaps some of that magic will be recreated for Heads of State.
“It was a really great experience to explore. If I’m honest, it was one of the things that developed," Elba said, via The Illuminerdi. "When you read the script, you sort of see the natural rivalry between John and I and James [Gunn] and the natural dynamics of the whole team. John and I really sort of gravitated to this natural sort of d*ck-swinging competition that was just a lot of fun. So, for us, it was a really great fun and James would really egg Idris and John on to make Peacemaker and Bloodsport really pop on screen. I loved every minute of it.”
Of their two characters, Cena added, “They’re of the same skill set and I think that really starts the fuel for the one-upmanship. They really want to battle for that Alpha, position whereas the other superheroes don’t necessarily need to compete as much because they have definable characteristics. And I think that small journey between Bloodsport and Peacemaker who through the whole movie it really does make for some good comedic moments and some wonderful one-upmanship.”
Heads of State does not yet have a release date.