Awkwafina, Simu Liu and John Cena are hitting the screen together in Paul Feig’s latest comedy, Jackpot!.
Awkwafina stars as Katie, a new resident of Los Angeles who finds herself in possession of a winning lottery ticket. This ticket places her in the Grand Lottery, a deadly contest in California where others can claim the ticket (and its prize) by killing the holder before sunset.
Katie teams up with Noel (John Cena), a self-appointed “jackpot protector,” as they navigate a series of challenges, including a rival protector played by Simu Liu, who wants the commission for Katie’s win.
“This is the Jackie Chan movie I always wished I could make,” Feig told EW. “Jackie Chan movies feature an everyman caught in unwanted situations, marked by frantic, comedic fighting. I avoid action for action’s sake; it must advance the plot and highlight the humor in unlikely scenarios.”
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Awkwafina’s character embodies the audience’s perspective. “She represents the everyman,” Feig explained. “You experience the chaos through her eyes, thrust into a deadly game where everyone wants you dead.” This stands in stark contrast to Cena and Liu’s characters, who add an action-star flair mixed with quirky humor.
Feig praised Cena’s grounded performance: “John brings a lovely presence to what could have been a very macho role. He embraced the slightly nerdy character, offering a refreshing take on the action hero.”
EW has an exclusive look at the film’s images, showing Katie and Noel in action. One notable scene involves Katie, wearing borrowed clothes from a bad Airbnb host, fighting off attackers while on Noel’s back. “This is when she first gets attacked,” Feig shared. “She’s a struggling actor at an audition when chaos ensues. She ends up in a karate studio, facing martial arts experts, with Noel arriving just in time to protect her.”
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Jackpot! blends Feig’s signature action-comedy style with a touch of elegance. The Grand Lottery’s no-guns rule appealed to him: “If it was just mindless violence, I wouldn’t be interested. I prefer primal survival without toxic aggression. It’s fun and ridiculous but with real stakes. The characters are believable, making the extreme situations both tense and entertaining.”
Jackpot! is scheduled to be released by Amazon MGM Studios via Prime Video on August 15, 2024.
