Viola Davis Takes on Action Hero Role in New Film ‘G20’

LOS ANGELES, CA — Viola Davis, acclaimed for her dramatic roles, is stepping into the action genre with her upcoming film “G20,” set to premiere on Prime Video April 10, 2025. In this comedic action movie, Davis portrays U.S. President Danielle Sutton, who must navigate a world crisis during a G20 summit in Cape Town.

In “G20,” world leaders attending the summit are taken hostage by terrorists who plan to use deepfake technology to manipulate media and destabilize global currencies. Despite the film’s over-the-top premise, Davis welcomed the opportunity to blend humor with action. “Hell yeah! I needed some levity in my life,” she remarked during an interview.

Davis, who has received numerous accolades in her career, including a Tony Award for “Fences” and an Emmy for “How to Get Away with Murder,” expressed her desire to balance serious roles with lighter fare. “I don’t think every movie you do has to be considered for an Academy Award. I wanted to do something that families could watch together, something popular,” she explained.

The film features an ensemble cast including Anthony Anderson and Elizabeth Marvel, with most of the key action roles filled by women, emphasizing Davis’s commitment to representation in Hollywood. The storyline follows Sutton as she outsmarts the terrorists using both her military background and intelligence to protect her family and the world leaders.

Reflecting on her role, Davis noted, “The only two people you owe anything to are your six-year-old self and your 80-year-old self.” She recalled her childhood inspiration from characters like Teresa Graves in the 1970s series “Get Christie Love!” saying, “Whenever she arrested someone, she would say, ‘You’re under arrest, baby!’” Davis’s dedication to authenticity in her roles also shines through as she has continued strength training since her role in “The Woman King.”

Critics have described “G20” as a mix of action-packed sequences with a healthy dose of humor, and Davis proceeded to challenge stereotypes of aging women in action films. “You don’t get many female action stars who are pushing 60, but I’m a powerhouse,” she stated, demonstrating her willingness to take on unconventional roles in her later career.

As Davis prepares for her next project, a fantasy adaptation of Tomi Adeyemi‘s “Children of Blood and Bone,” she remains grounded in her journey from her challenging childhood in Rhode Island to becoming a celebrated actress in Hollywood. “Even though I look back and go, ‘Oh, she was so damaged,’ I always believed in myself in the midst of poverty,” Davis reflected.

“G20” promises to be a thrilling ride with an empowering message as audiences anticipate seeing Davis’s portrayal of a woman capable of leading on an international stage while kicking some serious action on screen.