On June 23, 2025, Hollywood stars John Cena, Idris Elba, and Priyanka Chopra Jonas gathered to promote their upcoming action-comedy film Heads of State, sharing insights and behind-the-scenes stories that have fans buzzing with anticipation. The movie, set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video on July 2, reunites Cena and Elba for the first time since their 2021 collaboration in The Suicide Squad, while marking Chopra Jonas’s much-anticipated return to the action genre.
In an exclusive interview with Mona Kosar Abdi of Extra, the trio revealed the dynamic energy behind the film and their on-set camaraderie. Idris Elba described working alongside John Cena again as a “dream come true,” emphasizing the positive vibes that fueled their collaboration. “We put this energy out to work together again… We got to do it in such a great project with a great team,” Elba said. Cena echoed this sentiment, adding, “When you get to work with people you enjoy — that’s a bonus.”
Priyanka Chopra Jonas, who stars as Noel Bisset, a senior MI6 agent, shared her excitement about the action-packed role and the chemistry between her character and the two world leaders she protects — Will Derringer, the President of the United States (played by Cena), and Sam Clarke, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (played by Elba). “I mean, I know this is John's line in the movie, but I do look good with a gun in my hand,” she joked. “It's just really funny protecting these two in the movie... We’re doing this walk and talk and I’m, like, really tough and, like, in-between the two of them, so, like, ‘You listen to me, okay?’ It’s just that the dynamic is hysterical, so I had a great time. It’s so fun.”
The film is set against a backdrop of political chaos and globe-trotting danger, blending high-stakes action with sharp comedic undertones. Directed by Ilya Naishuller, known for his high-octane style, Heads of State also features a strong supporting cast including Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, Carla Gugino, Jack Quaid, and Sarah Niles.
One of the most memorable anecdotes shared by Chopra Jonas involved a prank pulled by her co-stars on the very first day of filming. Intending to break the ice, she walked onto the set and said, “I don’t see you,” only to be met with a playful response from Idris Elba: “Now you’ve offended him. He hates that.” The comment, meant to rile her up, had Chopra panicking momentarily before she realized the duo was just “taking the piss.” “That totally cracked the ice,” she recalled, highlighting the friendly and fun atmosphere on set.
The trio also recounted some of the movie’s more physically demanding and visually impressive scenes. Chopra Jonas described her experience on the Air Force One set, a massive rotating stage that simulated a crashing plane. Watching Cena and Elba being “thrown around” during the stunt sequences was both thrilling and amusing. Elba admitted, “It was fun the first 50 times, and then...” to which Chopra quickly interjected, “It was fun for me!”
Another standout sequence involved recreating Spain’s famous La Tomatina Festival. Instead of using real rotten tomatoes, which Chopra Jonas dreaded due to their mess and smell, the production employed special effects featuring a jelly-like substance that was hypoallergenic and skin-friendly. “No rotten tomatoes on me,” she said with relief. Cena quipped, “My takeaway is that we apparently spent our entire budget on the special effects for tomatoes.”
Adding to the film’s authenticity, Cena and Elba shared their experience riding on a truck loaded with real sheep for a scene. “We couldn’t special-effects that out and learned exactly how much a truckload of sheep go to the bathroom, and that’s a whole lot,” Cena joked. “There was a good sense of realism in the sheep truck.”
Beyond the set stories, Chopra Jonas has been actively promoting the film. On June 23, she took to Instagram to share photos from a “fun-filled day” in New York with her co-stars. Dressed in a sleek black shirt and matching boot-cut trousers, she radiated confidence and style. Seated between Elba, who opted for a casual ivory T-shirt and brown jeans, and Cena, sharp in a blue-striped formal suit, she captioned the post: “The scene is sharp. The mood electric. And we’re not here by accident.”
Fans were quick to praise her commanding presence, with comments ranging from “Boss lady” to comparisons with “Ms James Bond.” The promotional buzz has only heightened excitement for the film’s July 2 release on Prime Video, which will be available in multiple languages including English, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada.
For Chopra Jonas, Heads of State is just one of several exciting projects on her slate. At 42, the actress is also preparing for SSMB 29, directed by the acclaimed SS Rajamouli, marking her first collaboration with the director. Additionally, she will star in The Bluff, a 19th-century Caribbean pirate drama where she portrays a former female pirate protecting her family amid dangerous past entanglements.
With Heads of State, the film promises to deliver a blend of thrilling action, witty humor, and a star-studded cast that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats. As the countdown to its Prime Video debut continues, fans eagerly await to see Priyanka Chopra Jonas, John Cena, and Idris Elba join forces in what could be one of the summer’s most entertaining cinematic experiences.
