'I Want to Do Something Popular': Viola Davis Explains Picking an Action Movie Over Oscar Bait'I Want to Do Something Popular': Viola Davis Explains Picking an Action Movie Over Oscar Bait

Apr 06, 2025

Most fans recognize Academy Award-winning actor Viola Davis for standout roles in films that landed her nominations for the big gold statuette. However, Davis insists that her focus when picking roles isn't about what's potentially Oscar-worthy as she prepares to unveil her latest big-screen project, G20.

Speaking with The Times, Davis addressed why she boarded G20, an action thriller where she portrays U.S. President Danielle Sutton. According to the revered actor, she wanted to do "something popular" to capture fans' attention rather than chase Oscar bait for more potential accolades. “I don’t think every movie you do has to be considered for an Academy Award,” she said. “I wanted to do something that families could watch together, something popular.”

Amid cancelation fears, DC Studios co-CEO James Gunn provides a brief update on the status of the Peacemaker spinoff series, Waller.

A member of the coveted Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony (EGOT) club, Davis has earned four Academy Award nominations, including a Best Supporting Actress win for her performance in Denzel Washington's Fences and two Best Actress nods for The Help and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. While Davis is best known for her serious roles, G20 attracted the 59-year-old actor because it allowed her to have more fun, playing “an ass-kicking American president in a preposterous hoot of an action movie,” as The Times put it. “Internally, you’re always trying to get back to the fun,” Davis said. “Hell yeah! I needed some levity in my life.”

While Davis has enjoyed Oscar success, she hasn't always been a fan of the movies that garnered her that recognition. She previously stated she didn't like The Help due to its plot, which largely centered around its white characters. Meanwhile, fellow Oscar-winning actor Halle Berry recently revealed her surprise when Davis didn't win Best Actress for Ma Rainey's Black Bottom, claiming Black women should stop "coveting" Academy Awards due to how misrepresented they are in Hollywood. Berry remains the only Black woman to win Best Actress.

Comedian and former late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien announces he is returning to host the Oscars in 2026 with the perfect joke.

G20 sees Davis' main character among several leaders in the titular intergovernmental forum in South Africa. However, when terrorists take over the summit and threaten everyone in sight, President Sutton must defend her family and fellow leaders, showing her gun-toting skills to fend off the invaders. The film was directed by Patricia Riggen, who helmed the Disney Channel original movie, Lemonade Mouth.

Davis leads a cast including Black-ish stars Anthony Anderson and Marsai Martin, The Boys' Antony Starr and Transformers franchise actor Ramón Rodríguez. The film began production in early 2024 in Cape Town after being delayed by the SAG-AFTRA strike, wrapping principal photography by March of last year.

G20 premieres via Prime Video on Apr. 10.

Source: The Times

We want to hear from you! Share your opinions in the thread below and remember to keep it respectful.

Your comment has not been saved

This thread is open for discussion.

Be the first to post your thoughts.

Disney's controversial Snow White remake is flooded with negative reviews, prompting IMDb to issued a warning.

Toy Story is one of the most beloved animated franchises and that is because many of the scenes in the film are nearly flawless from start to finish.

Jim Carrey fondly remembers his Batman Forever co-star Val Kilmer, who passed away earlier this week.

James Gunn confirms that DC Universe fans have figured out who Alan Tudyk is voicing in the 2025 superhero blockbuster Superman.

Ice Cube gets some exciting news.

The live-action Snow White struggled upon release, and one element that could've helped the overall stigma of the film ultimately went unmentioned