Was Priyanka Chopra The Right Pick For Heads Of State? The Director Says...
Heads of State, the highly anticipated political action comedy, is now streaming on Prime Video. Starring a powerhouse trio, John Cena, Idris Elba, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, the film blends sharp political satire with high-stakes global espionage, offering a fresh take on the classic action drama.
In a recent interview, director Ilya Naishuller praised Priyanka, calling her a joy to work with and the perfect choice for the film's female lead. Speaking about casting Priyanka, Ilya Naishuller told PTI, 'She's the only actress I talked to for this movie, I'll be honest. I was just like, 'If the call goes, we'll be lucky to have her'. And I remember she charmed me in about 45 seconds flat over a Zoom call. She's wearing a big, homely sweater and just chilling on her couch. And we started talking, and I immediately understood we have quite a bit in common."
The director claimed he saw parallels between his Hollywood experience and how Priyanka, an established star in India, earned a name for herself in the United States. He said, 'It is a very difficult thing to do. It always is, no matter how big you are at home, and the fact that she went there and started that path, I was like, I deeply respect that and I admire that. It's courage." The filmmaker added that Priyanka was always prepared and curious throughout the shooting of the movie.
Heads of State revolves around an urgent global catastrophe that compels two competing leaders, Derringer and Clarke, to forge an unlikely partnership. Despite their opposing personalities and patriotic affiliations, the two must work together to avert a catastrophe. They negotiate a world of secret operations, deadly intel, and political instability in a race against time, assisted by Agent Noel. From vehicle chases and shootouts to smartly scripted humorous exchanges, the film is jam-packed with scenes that combine Hollywood-style extravaganza with insightful barbs at international diplomacy. The film premiered on July 2 and is noted for its visual style and adrenaline-fueled storytelling.
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