G20 Offers A Mini Black-Ish Reunion, But First Family Actors Hope Fans Don't "See Diane & Andre Johnson" Onscreen

Viola Davis is a president under siege in G20, a new thriller in which the fate of the world's economy is on the line. Set during the annual economic conference attended by 19 of the world's biggest economies, the European Union, and the African Union, G20 tells the story of world leaders surviving a terrorist attack led by Antony Starr’s veteran-turned-villain Rutledge. Directed by Patricia Riggen, G20 turns one of the world's biggest summits into a tense action thriller largely set in a single location.

Although Viola Davis and Antony Starr lead the movie, the supporting G20 characters are key to giving audiences something to root for. Anthony Anderson, Marasi Martin, and Christopher Ferrar play the First Family to Davis’ President Danielle Sutton, increasing the personal stakes for Davis’ character. Ramón Rodríguez worked closely with Davis as well in his role as Agent Manny Ruiz.

ScreenRant’s Ash Crossan interviewed the director and cast of G20 about their work on Prime Video’s ambitious new thriller. Crossan spoke with Anthony Anderson, Marasi Martin, Christopher Ferrar, and Ramón Rodríguez (whose character Agent Manny Ruiz is one of the film’s best, according to ScreenRant’s G20 review) about playing the First Family and a loyal Secret Service agent. Director Patricia Riggan revealed her favorite things about bringing the movie’s unique story to life.

G20’s First Family Is A Mini Black-Ish Reunion

And Newcomer Christopher Ferrar Was Welcomed Into The Fold

Fans of ABC’s eight-season sitcom Black-ishwill recognize a familiar father-daughter pairing in Anthony Anderson and Marasi Martin. The reunion was no coincidence, though it was an example of trickle-down casting. Anderson made it sound quite simple, saying, “Viola requested that I be her husband in this film, [and] I requested that Marsai be our daughter.”

But because of that pre-existing relationship, Anderson and Martin had to work to separate their Black-ish characters from G20’s Derek, Serena, and Demetrius Sutton. In Anderson’s words, “We both entered this film not wanting people to see Diane and Andrew Johnson up there … even though it’s familiar, we wanted it to be fresh and different, and we didn’t want to fall into what we had for eight successful seasons with our show.”

Behind the scenes, though, old familiar grooves were found, according to Martin: “Even though it was different within the project that we're on and our characters, it was not different working with him whatsoever. He is still my dad for life, and he protects me like no other, and I knew I wouldn't fall because he wouldn't allow [himself] to see me fall in that way. He would always be there to support and vice versa, and I think that was very special.”

Given the history between Anderson and Martin, one could imagine that newcomer Christopher Ferrar could feel left out. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case, with the actor revealing that “Coming into it, I was super scared, but once we got on set, they made me feel so comfortable.”

That welcoming dynamic helped Ferrar find his own confidence in playing Demetrius: “Once we did the first scene [and I was] in the room with all of them at the same time, that's when it really hit me, like, ‘Man, I'm really doing this.’ It was great for me to realize that and how great I am and how talented I am. That was a big moment for me.”

Ramón Rodríguez’s Agent Manny Ruiz Is “Almost Like Siblings” With The President

Rodríguez Bonded With Davis On- And Off-Camera

Agent Manny Ruiz, played by Ramón Rodríguez, has a history with Viola Davis’ President Sutton. The pair were bonded by “serving in the military together and serving in war together,” Rodríguez revealed, which gave them a history that the actor and Davis “wanted to find ways to layer into the film.” While the pair were careful not to do that in too heavy-handed a way, they understood the dynamic as “almost like siblings.”

Rodríguez clarified: “[It was] almost like siblings. They would fight and clash at times, but I wanted to make sure that his dedication, commitment, heart, [and] what he was willing to do to have the President's back [were clear]. And as Ramón, I was like, “I got your back, V.”

On the topic of getting backs, Rodríguez worked with a Secret Service consultant to fully understand the importance of the role. As Rodríguez put it, “It is a really stressful, full-time, 24/7 job. It’s nonstop, particularly if you work in the president’s detail. You’re closer than family to that president.”

Rodríguez Has Officially “Made It” After Being A Clue On Jeopardy

“Mom, Guess What?”

Portraying one of the key players in a high-octane action thriller alongside EGOT winner Viola Davis is nice and all, but it was Rodríguez’s recent appearance as a clue on Jeopardy! that had friends calling himwith congratulations.Rodríguez relayed his experience: “I was on set filming [Will Trent] in Atlanta and my phone started to blow up. I’m like, ‘What’s happening in the world?’ And I see everyone–people I didn’t even know watch Jeopardy! Or [that] I hadn’t heard from in years–[saying], “You’ve made it.”

“I called my mom,” Rodríguez continued, “I’m like, ‘Mom, guess what? I’m on Jeopardy!’ She was loving it. That is a very unique, awesome moment.”

Director Patricia Riggen Fed Her Appetite For Destruction With G20’s Action

“I Can Do Drama With My Eyes Closed … The Action Was The Biggie”

Patricia Riggen is a beloved Mexican film director whose past projects include The 33, Under the Same Moon, and the 2011 Disney Channel film Lemonade Mouth–the latter of which is still very much present in her life, Riggen revealed: “I had such a fun time doing Lemonade Mouth … now, I realize it’s a huge favorite move for people all around the world. In Poland, people are coming up to me and saying, ‘We love Lemonade Mouth’.”

But outside of “a little bit” of action shot for Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan and “the explosion of the mine, and guys running and everything,” for The 33, G20 provided the director her first real shot at creating big setpiece moments. That’s why, when asked about what G20 allowed her to do that she hadn’t really tried before, Riggen was quick to say, “Certainly the action.”“This is a first in a lot of different [ways],” the director said, “big things like cars, helicopters, close combat, [and] missiles.”

“Of course, I can do drama with my eyes closed, and I always like to put a little comedy in everything I do–it always lightens up the moment–[so] definitely, the action was the biggie.”

Riggen Weighs In On G20 2 Hopes

“I Would Love To Have A Sequel”

The real G20 is an annual event that is held in a different country every year, which makes a franchise based on that ripe with sequel potential. In Riggen’s words, ‘This year is in South Africa. Of course, we have the potential of doing a G20: Mexico, or a G20: Anything.”

G20 is streaming on Amazon Prime Video now.

Source: Screen Rant Plus