American actress and film producer Viola Davis is making waves again, this time with a gripping message of empowerment aimed straight at young Black girls through her latest action-thriller, “G20.”
In the film, Davis stars as U.S. President Danielle Sutton, a formidable leader forced to rise to the occasion when a terroristic threat strikes. Beyond defending her family and fellow world leaders, Sutton becomes a symbol of strength and resilience on a global stage. Alongside Davis, the film also features Anthony Anderson and Marsai Martin, the beloved on-screen father-daughter duo from Black-ish.
For Davis, who not only stars in the film but also produced it, the project is deeply personal. “I did it to put every young Black girl in this story,” she told USA Today, reflecting on her daughter Genesis’ bedtime requests. “She’d say, ‘Put me in the story, Mama.’” That ask became a mission. “I want them to see themselves without the limitations society often puts on them… When you see it, you can believe it.”
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At 59, the EGOT-winning actress pushed her physical limits to transform into the role. Her training was led by Gabriela McLain, whom Davis jokingly refers to as “Lord Voldemort, the brutalizer.” The regimen included squats, weightlifting, and intense boxing drills. “I shot this right after The Woman King, so I never really stopped training,” Davis said. “Let’s just say. I can do a lot of pull-ups. I’m tougher than people think.”
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The script for G20 first landed in Davis and husband Julius Tennon’s hands in 2015. Despite the years and industry obstacles, the couple stayed committed to the vision. “People want to see characters like Indiana Jones or Ripley from Alien make ultimate sacrifices,” Davis explains. “They want to feel protected, seen, even loved. That’s what this movie offers with a twist we haven’t seen enough of.”
Interestingly, the plot of G20, a Black female president leading with grace under fire, feels like a cinematic “what if” after Kamala Harris’ 2020 vice-presidential win. And for actress Marsai Martin, the film’s relevance hits close to home.
“While we were filming, I had this surreal feeling,” says Martin. “I thought this isn’t just a movie. This is what could be our reality. Movies have this way of showing us what’s possible, and G20 does just that.”
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The cast and creators believe G20 isn’t just a pulse-pounding thriller, it’s a declaration. A statement about representation, power, and the limitless potential of Black girls everywhere.
G20 is now streaming exclusively on Prime Video.
