Maggie Q And Samuel L. Jackson's 64% RT Action Movie Is Shockingly Underrated And Shouldve Been The New John Wick

Campbell is most famously known for reviving the Bond franchise and directing GoldenEye and Casino Royale, which ought to have been evidence enough that Campbell's work in The Protégé would feature some fairly impressive action sequences. The movie certainly succeeds on this front. Several scenes in The Protégé feel like they're the work of high-end action, rather than a modest-budget production. Coupled with an outstanding cast, including Samuel L. Jackson and Michael Keaton, The Protégé has much to recommend it, despite the movie's modest reputation.

The Protégé Was A Fun Action Movie Despite Mixed Reviews

The Protégé Was A Refreshing Addition To The Assassin Sub-Genre

The budget for Campbell's action is not available to the public, though it would be reasonable to assume it was relatively modest in comparison to its competitors at that time. Still, The Protégé manages to deliver some impressive action set pieces. In an interview with Screen Rant+, Maggie Q discussed the exceptionally "high standards" she maintained for the stuntwork, highlighting the film's commitment to high-quality action. The action sequences are crucial in shaping the story, which is obvious in the polished and meticulously-edited end result. This helps make The Protégé more than an uninvolved "shoot-em-up".

The Protégé also boasts an interesting plot with plenty of twists. Anna and Moody are an experienced murder-for-hire team, after the operative rescued her from Vietnam 30 years earlier. From the outset, the pair's mentorship is central to the story. However, this is skillfully balanced and still presents Anna as a multifaceted character who isn't defined by her relationship with her adoptive father. While The Protégé does include a minor romantic subplot with Rembrandt, it does not overshadow Anna's rich and independent character arc. This gives the movie surprising depth, given its action trappings.

The Protégé's Incredible Cast Led By Maggie Q Made It Even Better

The Standout Cast Carries Most Of The Movie's Appeal

Lionsgate Films

Assassin movies with female leads are relatively scarce, yet Maggie Q's badass assassin in The Protégé proves her potential in the subgenre. Combined with her former role in Nikita, the 2021 movie gives Q the emotional scope that an actor of her caliber needs. It's difficult to imagine anyone else in this role, as the actress shapes it to her unique skill-set and stature. Not to mention, Maggie Q's portrayal of Anna helps enhance the performances of Jackson and Keaton.

The dynamic between Anna and Rembrandt is electric, and arguably one of the most interesting aspects of The Protégé. While the pair are out to kill each other, they quite quickly develop a bond. Rembrandt is far more direct in his advances, and the connection is mostly superficial, but it offers a refreshing re-direction from many of the standard revenge tropes. The Protégé shows the pair exercising their acting and action skills in equal parts, and it's fun to see Keaton thrive in a very action-heavy role.

Why The Protégé 2 Never Happened

It Seems The Cast Would Be On Board For A Sequel

Lionsgate Films

In previous interviews, it was made clear that Maggie Q would return for a sequel to The Protégé. However, it has been uncertain whether Campbell's sequel would receive the go-ahead from executives, mostly due to its underperformance at the box office. It was thought that the tide might have turned when the film was released on streaming platforms, which would have been a deciding factor in the continuation of Anna's story. However, as it stands, The Protégé is still yet to acquire the level of demand to sanction a sequel.

The Protégé 2 should not be completely ruled out, however, as the original has a deliberately ambiguous ending. Jackson's return for a future installment is unfeasible following his character's fate at the end of the first movie, but Keaton could still make a return. Rembrandt's fate is open to interpretation, but the actor has been in high demand since successes like Knox Goes Away and Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Therefore, Keaton reprising his role from The Protégé would not be all that surprising, but it would be entirely dependent upon aligning with his schedule.

Source: ScreenRant,Collider

Director Martin Campbell

Release Date August 20, 2021

Writers Richard Wenk