Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: "Heads Of State" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center
- Tal Levy / Tals Studio
- Jun 25
- 4 min read
Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere NEW YORK, NEW YORK
Heads of State is an upcoming American action comedy film directed by Ilya Naishuller. It stars John Cena, Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra, Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, and Carla Gugino. The story follows the two world leaders, who must set aside their rivalry to thwart a global conspiracy after becoming targets of a ruthless foreign adversary.
The film is scheduled to be released on July 2, 2025.
Priyanka Chopra Jonas attends Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Priyanka Chopra Jonas attends the world premiere of Amazon's "Heads Of State" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Zion Yoni Levy/Tals Studio)
Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and John Cena attend Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: (L-R) Idris Elba, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and John Cena attend Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Zion Yoni Levy/Tals Studio)
Amazon's "Heads Of State" Production
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It was announced in October 2020 that Amazon Studios had picked up the project, which would see Idris Elba and John Cena star, the pair having previously co-starred together in The Suicide Squad (2021).[1] Two years later in October 2022, Ilya Naishuller was hired to direct the film.[2] In April 2023, Priyanka Chopra joined the cast.[3] Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, Sarah Niles and Richard Coyle would be added to the cast the following month.[4]
Filming began in London in May 2023.[5][6] Filming continued in Liverpool's St George's Hall in June 2023.[7] Later in July and August, location shooting moved to Trieste for some chase scenes.[8] In May 2024, additional scenes were shot in Belgrade, Serbia.[9][10]
John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh attend Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: John Cena and Shay Shariatzadeh attend Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Zion Yoni Levy/Tals Studio)
Idris Elba attends the Amazon's "Heads Of State" World Premiere
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 24: Idris Elba attends the world premiere of Amazon's "Heads Of State" at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on June 24, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Zion Yoni Levy/Tals Studio)
Heads of State is a globe‑trotting, action‑comedy buddy film directed by Ilya Naishuller (known for Hardcore Henry and Nobody). It follows a public rivalry turned uneasy alliance between two world leaders:
🎬 Premise
John Cena plays U.S. President Will Derringer, a former action hero turned politician.
Idris Elba stars as UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke, a disciplined, SAS‑trained commando.
When their joint diplomatic mission is attacked and they find themselves on the run, the two must work together to stop a foreign conspiracy threatening global stability—reluctantly aided by MI6 agent Noel Bisset, played by Priyanka Chopra Jonas cinematerial.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14ew.com+14.
💥 Cast & Crew Highlights
John Cena – brings comedic charm and self‑aware physicality (“gym strong,” no real martial arts) ew.com.
Idris Elba – delivers a straight‑man performance, embracing warm comedic beats .
Priyanka Chopra Jonas – plays the confident, sharp MI6 agent Noel Bisset.
Supporting cast includes Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Sarah Niles, Richard Coyle indiatimes.com+14en.wikipedia.org+14people.com+14.
Written by Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query; produced by Peter Safran and John Rickard hypebeast.com+7en.wikipedia.org+7thesource.com+7.
🎥 Plot & Style
Inspired by 80s/90s buddy films like Lethal Weapon and Midnight Run, blending high‑octane action with comedic banter and political satire ew.com.
Features large‑scale set‑pieces, chase sequences, and self‑referential humor, including Cena’s character spoofing his previous on‑screen persona hypebeast.com+15ew.com+15thesource.com+15.
🌍 Production & Filming
Amazon Studios acquired the project in October 2020, with Naishuller on board by October 2022 techradar.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15ew.com+15.
Principal photography took place in:
London (May–June 2023)
Liverpool’s St. George’s Hall (June 2023)
Trieste, Italy (July–August 2023)
Belgrade, Serbia (May 2024) hypebeast.com+9en.wikipedia.org+9fr.wikipedia.org+9.
📅 Release Info
Streaming premiere exclusively on Prime Video: July 2, 2025, timed just before U.S. Independence Day weekend fr.wikipedia.org+12whentostream.com+12themovieupdates.com+12.
📣 Buzz & Reception
Trailer released in April 2025 quickly generated buzz for its “high‑energy” action and comedic chemistry between Cena and Elba ew.com+1timesofindia.indiatimes.com+1.
Media outlets highlight Cena's ability to laugh at his tough‑guy image and Elba's adept comedic timing ew.com.
TechRadar called it “a blast” for fans of daffy ’80s‑style action films alt-africa.com+1ew.com+1.
⏯️ How to Watch
Available July 2 on Prime Video. A standard Prime subscription (~$14.99/mo or $139/yr) is required—or cheaper plans for younger viewers or government assistance eligibility techradar.com+13aboutamazon.com+13hypebeast.com+13.
Rated PG‑13 for strong violence, language, and smoking vitalthrills.com.
✅ In Summary
If you enjoyed the explosive fun of The Suicide Squad with Cena & Elba, and are craving a modern political‑action buddy comedy with larger‑than‑life stunts and witty dialogue, Heads of State promises to deliver.
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