The Protégéintroduced a new female assassin to the big screen, andMaggie Q’s performance as Anna all but confirms that she should have been the new John Wick. Directed by Martin Campbell,The Protégéearned a spot among themost underrated hitman moviesdue to a mixed critical response following its release in 2021. The movie grossed an astoundingly low $2.93 million across the U.S. and Canada during its opening weekend. It is difficult to understand why this might have been the case, as numerous core components within the film makeThe Protégéworth revisiting.
Campbell is most famously known for reviving theBond franchise and directingGoldenEyeandCasino Royale, which ought to have been evidence enough thatCampbell’s work inThe Protégéwould feature some fairly impressive action sequences. The movie certainly succeeds on this front. Several scenes inThe Protégéfeel 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 Protégéhas 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 Protégémanages to deliver some impressive action set pieces. In an interview withScreen 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 makeThe Protégémore than an uninvolved “shoot-em-up”.
The Protégéalso 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 stillpresents Anna as a multifaceted character who isn’t defined by her relationshipwith her adoptive father. WhileThe Protégédoes 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
Assassin movies with female leads are relatively scarce, yetMaggie Q’s badass assassin inThe Protégéproves her potential in the subgenre. Combined with her former role inNikita,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.
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 dynamic between Anna and Rembrandt is electric, and arguably one of the most interesting aspects ofThe 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 arefreshing re-direction from many of the standard revenge tropes.The Protégéshows 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
In previous interviews, it was made clear thatMaggie Q would return for a sequeltoThe 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 Protégéis still yet to acquire the level of demand to sanction a sequel.
AtCollider’s Ladies Night, Maggie Q said, “I really want to work with Martin again and I think it would be really fun to team up again on something like this. We did leave it open and so we shall see. And it’s not obnoxious. It’s fun! It’s like, listen, if audiences respond to it, we’ll probably get to. If they don’t then, you know, it’s a different story, but we’ll see.”
The Protégé 2should 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 likeKnox Goes AwayandBeetlejuice Beetlejuice. Therefore, Keaton reprising his role fromThe Protégéwould not be all that surprising, but it would be entirely dependent upon aligning with his schedule.
