From Rivals to Rescuers: Heads of State Reimagines the Buddy Comedy
John Cena and Idris Elba team up in Prime Video’s globe-trotting action-comedy Heads of State, where saving NATO might just depend on the world’s most unlikely duo.
Prime Video has dropped the official trailer for Heads of State, a high-octane buddy movie starring John Cena and Idris Elba as feuding world leaders forced to join forces. Directed by Hardcore Henry’s Ilya Naishuller, the film blends espionage thrills with outrageous comedy and lands worldwide on July 2, 2025.
The plot throws the newly elected, movie-star-turned-president Will Derringer (Cena) into chaos after Air Force One is shot down. Alongside the cool, battle-scarred UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke (Elba), the duo must survive enemy territory and foil a plot that threatens the NATO alliance, and the fate of the free world.
Backing the action is Priyanka Chopra Jonas as the razor-sharp MI6 agent Noel Bisset, whose mission is as much about keeping these bickering heads of state alive as it is about neutralizing the threat. Her quick wit and combat prowess have already sparked buzz around a breakout action role.
The trailer, titled “Heads of State | Official Trailer | Prime Video”, teases explosive set pieces, deadpan one-liners, and a fast-paced global romp. From gritty Serbian farmlands to high-speed chases through Trieste, and a reimagined La Tomatina festival in France, the film delivers international spectacle with tongue firmly in cheek.
Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query penned the screenplay, produced by John Rickard and Peter Safran, with distribution by Amazon MGM Studios. The ensemble cast includes Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, and Carla Gugino, whose character harbors a twist that reshapes the mission.
While Heads of State flirts with satire and global tensions, particularly NATO’s vulnerabilities, it doesn’t dive into political nuance. Instead, it leans into charm, chaos, and camaraderie, anchored by two leads with natural comedic chemistry.
Filmed across four European nations, including England, France, Italy, and Serbia, the production reflects its international stakes. Locations like Nice, Sospel, Surrey, and Belgrade provide authentic backdrops, adding grit and grandeur to the globe-spanning plot.
