Viola Davis is on a mission to inspire Black girls with her latest film G20.
The Oscar-winning actress not only stars in the action-thriller but serves as a producer. In the film, Davis plays U.S. President Danielle Sutton who has to defend her family, fellow leaders, and the world from a terroristic threat. The film also stars Anthony Anderson and Marsai Martin who previously played father and daughter in Black-ish.
In preparation for the role, Davis spoke about her rigorous training regiment
“My trainer, Gabriela Mclain, who I call Lord Voldemort or the one who shall not be named, or the brutalizer, she had me doing squats, weights, punching exercises,” Davis told USA Today.
“I shot this movie right after doing ‘The Woman King,’ so I never stopped working out,” she continued. “So, yes, I can do a lot of pull-ups, let’s just say. I’m tougher than people think I am.”
Back in 2015, Davis and her producer husband Julius Tennon first came across the script for G20. Although they faced numerous challenges, Davis and Tennon were determined to make the film a reality.
“People want to see Indiana Jones and Ripley (from the ‘Alien’ franchise) sacrifice themselves for the greater good, people who make us feel protected and cared for, and dare I say loved,” Davis explained.
With the new film, Davis wants to inspire the Black Girls like her daughter Genesis. Now 14, Davis recalled her daughter asking her to put her in the stories she read to her at bedtime.
“She’d say, ‘Put me in the story, Mama,’” Davis says. “So, why did I do this movie? I did it to put every young Black girl in this story; I want them to see themselves without the limitations society often puts on them,” Davis shared.
“When you see it, you can believe it. But the pressure of seeing something within yourself without seeing the evidence of it in the world, that’s tough,” she said. “So when you get the baton in your hand, that’s your new job, to pay it forward.”
G20 is currently streaming on Prime Video.