John Cena and Idris Elba are two of the most charismatic and talented actors working today and, following their great chemistry in James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, the performers are set to appear in a new action movie that has become more H๏τly anticipated after recent comments from the director. Head of State brings some goofy humor to the genre, but recent comments from the director make the film’s tone even more compelling. The upcoming film has been compared to several surprising hits from the past, suggesting several welcome but unexpected twists.

Ilya Naishuller directs the new film, and the Head of State trailer shows a wider conspiracy for the heroes to fight against. The film’s cast is stacked, including performers like Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Paddy Considine alongside Elba and Cena. With films like Nobody and Hardcore Henry on his resume, Naishuller has proven himself competent at bringing action to the forefront. However, new comments from the director suggest that he has taken a different approach to this film.

The Heads Of State Trailer’s Buddy Comedy Vibe Is No Accident

The Director Knows What This Action Movie Needs To Be

The trailer for Heads of State promises a fun buddy comedy that will be released directly to Prime Video in July. The new movie sees John Cena as President Will Derringer, a former action movie hero who is now the Commander-in-Chief. Derringer’s relationship with the more traditional British Prime Minister Sam Clarke, played by Idris Elba, becomes complex after the pair are forced to work together after their plane is attacked. With their security breached, the two must work together to save themselves and their nations.

While the trailer is silly and includes a great deal of humor, recent quotes from the director suggest that the film may have a lot more than what’s going for it. Speaking with the print edition of Empire Magazine, Naishuller acknowledged that the key to the story is not how they survived but how the two world leaders became friends. Read his full comment below:

The real story is not will they survive, because we know they will… but will they become friends?“

In addition, he stated, “I knew I could do the action,” noting that he wanted to go further with that, citing Midnight Run and Lethal Weapon as influences. With this in mind, the director spoke about the importance of making the film’s humor as integral as the violence with the characters’ dynamic being the key focus.

Can Heads Of State Get A Tricky Action Movie Tone Right?

Naishuller’s Story Breakdown Gives Me Hope

Heads of State looks like a lot of fun, and it’s comforting to see such esteemed films serving as inspiration. Naishuller has proven himself to be an accomplished action filmmaker, and it’s so refreshing to see him trying to do something different with the new film. With many of the best contemporary action movies on Netflix and beyond being focused on brutality and serious stakes, it is comforting to see a new action film built around the characters’ dynamics. The actors involved have also spoken about this.

The chemistry developed between Elba and Cena during The Suicide Squad was a major launching point for the film, and was given great focus in its production. Elba opened up about Heads of State’s tone in the same article, noting that “It was funny and a bit nostalgic… it felt like a film that they used to make in the ‘90s.” All of this suggests that the new movie may bring back some classic action movie prestige and that there is reason to hope it could result in something truly special.

Cena and Elba are two of the most charismatic performers working today, and Naishuller is an excellent director of action. With these pieces put together, Heads of State is more than likely to connect with audiences. Harkening back to buddy comedies with genuine stakes, the new film appears to be a refreshing throwback. Hopefully, it can connect with audiences when it is released directly on Prime Video on July 2.