A new action-comedy movie called HEADS OF STATE, directed by Ilya Naishuller, will be released in theaters on July 2, 2025. The movie has a lot of famous people in it, like Idris Elba, John Cena (who plays one of the leads), Priyanka Chopra, Jack Quaid, Paddy Considine, Stephen Root, and Carla Gugino. The plot revolves around two world leaders who are forced to unite and work together when a global conspiracy makes them both targets of a foreign enemy.
With a story that jumps across borders and political tension zones, the filmmakers chose multiple international destinations to capture the global scope of the narrative. HEADS OF STATE used a variety of dynamic filming locations that added authenticity and style to the project. Here’s a breakdown of where and when the movie was filmed.
WHERE WAS HEADS OF STATE FILMED?
Filming for HEADS OF STATE began in May 2023 in—London, England. In June 2023, the production moved to Liverpool. By July and August 2023, filming continued in Italy, followed by scenes shot in the French Riviera later in the year. The final leg of filming took place in Belgrade, Serbia in 2024.
LONDON, ENGLAND
HEADS OF STATE started filming in London in May 2023. This famous capital city was the main place where filming began. The city’s grand buildings, well-known landmarks and flexible studio setups made it the perfect place to start this intense political thriller. International productions often choose London because of its good infrastructure and movie-friendly atmosphere. HEADS OF STATE was no different.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – ST GEORGE’S HALL
In June 2023, the production moved to Liverpool, where filming took place at the city’s famous St George’s Hall. Because of its historical grandeur—this neoclassical building is a popular place to film. Reports say that the scenes filmed here showed important political meetings and dramatic fights.
When the cast members were in Liverpool—they were in the news. Priyanka Chopra was seen having fun at Otterspool Promenade and Otterspool Adventure with her husband Nick Jonas and their daughter. This added a family-friendly touch to the busy film schedule. Meanwhile, John Cena was seen working out at a local JD Gym, and Idris Elba visited the Papillon restaurant.
CROYDON, ENGLAND
Croydon was used as a stand-in for New York City, with sections of the town dressed up to resemble American streets. A replica of the Rector Street Subway Station entrance was created, and film crews captured action sequences at night with graffiti, rain-soaked streets, and urban lighting. The transformation made Croydon an ideal double for gritty NYC-style backdrops.
OVERTON’S YARD, CROYDON
Overton’s Yard is located in Croydon town centre, in South London, England. Specifically, it lies just off Surrey Street, near the Surrey Street Market and Fairfield Halls. It’s a small alley-like courtyard surrounded by independent businesses, cafés, and restaurants. Its central urban vibe and gritty aesthetic make it a popular spot for filmmakers looking for a versatile, inner-city look — which is why it was chosen for action scenes, including a car crash and explosion, in Heads of State.
ST GEORGE’S WALK CROYDON
Filming also took place at St George’s Walk, which was transformed into a Polish high street complete with modified storefronts, Polish posters, and gritty design elements. Scenes were shot overnight, and the cast—including Elba, Cena, and Chopra Jonas—were spotted filming in the area. Shops were closed early, and the crew returned the location to its original look by morning.
TRIESTE, ITALY – FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA REGION
Filming moved to Trieste, Italy, in July and August 2023. Trieste is in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. The pretty port city made for beautiful backgrounds for chase scenes—which made me think of fast-paced action scenes with cars racing through narrow streets and along the coast. With its unique blend of Italian, Austro-Hungarian—and Slovenian influences. Trieste added an exotic European layer to the film’s visual identity.
FRENCH RIVIERA, FRANCE – VICTORINE STUDIOS
Later in production, filming took place on the French Riviera, utilizing both natural locations and the historic Victorine Studios. Nice, Alpes-Maritimes, France served as a key filming location. According to reports dated December 2024, some of these French locations doubled as Spain and Italy within the movie. These scenes benefitted from the French Tax Rebate for International Productions (TRIP), a financial incentive that draws numerous international film projects to France. John Cena and Idris Elba were confirmed to be part of the sequences filmed in France.
BELGRADE, SERBIA
Džon Sina u Beogradu pic.twitter.com/zpK1oxk986
— Arsil (@arsagarson) May 20, 2024
In May 2024, additional filming occurred in Belgrade, Serbia. Several photos circulated on Serbian social media showing John Cena interacting with fans, both in the streets and at his hotel. Although exact scenes remain undisclosed—Belgrade likely served as an Eastern European setting for key moments tied to the conspiracy plot.
HEADS OF STATE’s international settings reflect its storyline. The decision to shoot in England, Italy, France, and Serbia was based on narrative needs, tax incentives, and cinematic aesthetics. Each city had its own architectural beauty, coastal charm, or political weight.
OFFICIAL TRAILER
Stay tuned to netfilming.com for more updates, previews, and behind-the-scenes.
