Jack Quaid has hinted at the possible return of his character, Marty Comer, in a future Heads of State sequel following a surprise post-credit scene in the recently released Prime Video action comedy. The new film, featuring John Cena and Idris Elba, marks the latest comedic action thriller from director Ilya Naishuller and is already stirring conversation about its ensemble, standout moments, and sequel potential.
The Story and Dynamic Behind Heads of State
Prime Video’s Heads of State arrives shortly after the platform’s G20, continuing its streak of high-stakes political action stories. The film follows U.S. President Will Derringer, played by John Cena, and British Prime Minister Sam Clarke, portrayed by Idris Elba, as they team up after their plane, Air Force One, is hijacked and crashes behind enemy lines. The unlikely duo must put aside their differences to save the world, creating a palpable on-screen chemistry that has drawn positive attention both from fans and critics.
Backing up the script by Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Harrison Query, Jack Quaid adds a memorable comedic touch as CIA station chief Marty Comer. Set in a safe house in Warsaw, Poland, Comer’s involvement is brief but impactful, with Quaid’s performance described as both entertaining and distinct, despite limited screen time.
Crafting High-Intensity Action: Behind the Turbulent Scenes
Director Ilya Naishuller, renowned for his commitment to detailed preproduction, invested deeply in constructing the action set pieces that define Heads of State. The film‘s pivotal aerial sequence, in which hired mercenaries board Air Force One and chaos ensues, is particularly noteworthy. Naishuller recounted the effort and multiple revisions that went into ensuring the sequence delivered maximum suspense and clarity:
“I usually do one pass and maybe small iterations [until] it’s as good as I need it to be. For this sequence, there must have been seven or eight completely different storyboards, where you focus on that character, you focus on this, [or] you focus on that.”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
Naishuller took his dedication further by personally testing the set-up intended for his actors to ensure their safety and authenticity during filming:
“I did try it first, because I can’t ask them to get in there if I can’t do it myself.”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
He explained the rigorous process behind developing such elaborate scenes, recognizing both his creative team and the actors’ willingness to embrace physical and narrative demands of the production:
“I had a little bit of time, and I was like, ‘I’m going to keep going until I get the absolute distillation of what it needs to be.’ [It took] a lot of time thinking, and then an incredible team that can actually build this thing that is safe and can do all the stuff that it does. And then actors who are willing to go inside what is really a tumble dryer.”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
Jack Quaid on How Heads of State Sparked His Action Career
Jack Quaid, previously known for roles in The Boys and Novocaine, attributes his drive for action movies to his experience on Heads of State. Although Novocaine premiered after Heads of State, Quaid reveals that filming with Naishuller and the dynamic action-comedy team ignited his passion for the genre:
“I shot Heads of State before I shot Novocaine,”
—Jack Quaid, Actor
Quaid’s decision to join the Heads of State cast was influenced by his admiration for the director’s previous work and the established star power involved:
“I loved Ilya’s film Nobody–I just thought it was so incredibly well done … and [I am] also a huge fan of John and Idris and Priyanka. It just made sense.”
—Jack Quaid, Actor
Reflecting on his transition to leading action roles and how Heads of State shaped his career direction, Quaid credits the experience for encouraging his pursuit of adrenaline-fueled projects:
“I think that this movie really got the action bug in me so that I wanted to pursue it even more with stuff like Novocaine,”
—Jack Quaid, Actor
He points to the script’s prioritization of character-driven storytelling as key to both his enjoyment and the movie’s effectiveness:
“…and specifically character-based action, where you care about the action because you care about the characters.”
—Jack Quaid, Actor
The project also allowed Quaid to explore a new type of role, expanding his range beyond previous characters:
“I also never really get to play the character who’s badass or experienced or in terms of combat or action. And this was different for me in a really cool, fun way.”
—Jack Quaid, Actor
Marty Comer’s Possible Return and the Future of the Franchise
The fate of Marty Comer, Jack Quaid’s character, remains ambiguous through much of Heads of State – that is, until a memorable post-credit sequence shows him alive and possibly primed for more action. This small reveal has fueled speculation about the Jack Quaid Heads of State sequel, with director Naishuller openly expressing enthusiasm for buying back the actor and character:
“if [people] watch the movie and enjoy it, and Amazon feels like it makes sense to do a second one, absolutely. I’d love to get more of Jack in there [and] more of Marty.”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
Even if a second installment does not materialize, Naishuller and Quaid both appear eager to collaborate again. The director has praised Quaid’s commitment, energy, and positive influence on set:
“If it’s not Heads of State 2, I will be bugging Jack to work together again,”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
“because he comes in, he knows what he’s doing, he’s an incredible energy in terms of his positivity and the desire to not just be here and do a great job, but to go above and beyond.”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
Naishuller highlighted the impact of working with actors dedicated to both individual improvement and collaborative goals:
“When you have a talent like that who listens and wants to do better and understands the collaborative nature of the goals we’re trying to achieve,”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
“my job becomes really easy, and it becomes as fun as you think a directing job can be.”
—Ilya Naishuller, Director
Looking Ahead: What Comes Next for Heads of State
With its blend of action and comedy, Heads of State stands out for the charisma of its leads and a supporting cast that includes Jack Quaid in a distinct comedic role. The movie’s success and lingering questions about Marty Comer’s fate have already generated excitement around the possibility of a sequel, ensuring Prime Video’s franchise ambitions remain strong. As fans await news of whether the story will continue and how Marty Comer could factor into future plots, both audience interest and creative enthusiasm bode well for the Jack Quaid Heads of State sequel to move closer to reality.
Heads of State is now available to stream on Prime Video, offering viewers a fast-paced, entertaining ride that celebrates both buddy action tropes and dynamic character work.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Jack Quaid a Nepo kid?
A. Jack Quaid admits that he is often called a “nepo baby.” He talked about this in a recent interview. Jack is the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid. He said he accepts the label. On The Daily Beast’s The Last Laugh podcast, he explained, “No matter what I do, people notice it.” He shared that people have used the term “nepo baby” to describe him.
