Shadow Force is now in theatres!
Before the film’s theatrical release of Shadow Force, I had the pleasure of speaking with screenwriter Leon Chills. Chills is a rising star with credits including comics and television, with Shadow Force being the first of his screenplays to be brought to theatres.
As the film is the first theatrical release of a Leon Chills screenplay, I wanted to know what inspired Chills to write Shadow Force.
Chills spoke about his upbringing; he grew up with divorced parents, and one of the things he did to bond with his father was go to the movies. The action films of Jean-Claude Van Damme, Wesley Snipes and Arnold Schwarzenegger left an impression. These childhood bonding moments left him inspired to write action primarily. After the release of Black Panther, Chills felt emboldened to continue writing stories about Black people within this space. And fate would have it that Shadow Force would be released on the heels of another cultural phenomenon that inspired Ryan Coogler.
[Editorial Note: Chills enjoyed Sinners a lot, so my recommendation is take this as a cue to check out both films in theatres now.]
Shadow Force is more heartwarming than expected, a family-driven action flick following two former mercenaries doing everything they can to protect their son and each other. I asked what made Omar Sy and Kerry Washington ideal for portraying Isaac and Kyrah.
Firstly, I remarked on how interesting it is that one of Chills’ inspirations, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starred in Washington, and now, 20 years later, she is the lead here. Chills recounted an anecdote about Washington explaining why she was interested in this project. It was due to her desire to be a Black best friend and an action heroine, and she wanted to be the kickass lead herself.
Leon’s script allowed her to act out the drama, which she could do in her sleep and be the leading action lady. Chills stated that Isaac and Kyrah are inspired by his parents, with Kyrah embodying the fierce, passionate qualities that Chills spoke highly of about his mother. Chills ultimately wanted actors that audiences wouldn’t automatically associate with action, rather actors who can convey the emotional elements of the screenplay, which Sy and Washington were more than equipped for.
In the film, Isaac plays a part in the affection for the power of music and the relevance of sound/hearing as the character utilizes hearing aids for much of the film. I asked what inspired this and how Lionel Richie became the film’s muse.
Chills credits co-writer and director Joe Carnahan for including and fleshing out this aspect of Isaac’s characterizations, one of a few crucial inclusions by the longtime action filmmaker. Chills admits that Lionel Richie wasn’t part of his time; that was all Carnahan. I asked what Chills prefers to listen to, to get into headspace to write, and he shared that to get into the zone, he listens to meditation sounds and music, then gradually moves to energetic music.
On Carnahan’s script contributions, Chills also credits Da’Vine Joy Randolph and Method Man’s Auntie and Unc to him. The dynamic duo perfectly juxtapose the more serious, and emotionally driven couple. Chills admits that the screenplay was initially far more serious before it went to Carnahan, who lightened it up with these additions.
Throughout the conversation, Chills spoke confidently about his passion and honourable mission to prioritize telling stories about Black characters, especially in a genre he enjoys and feels emotionally connected to. Shadow Force is not the first script to be picked up, but it is the first to come to theatres, a promising start to a career in filmmaking for an incredibly impassioned man. Amongst his talents, Chills is a comic book writer, including the Milestone comic series Icon vs Hardware, which stars the alien superhero Icon and the genius vigilante Hardware, created by Dwayne McDuffie and Mark Bright. If James Gunn and Peter Safran are inclined, Chills is interested in bringing these characters to the new DC cinematic era.
On what is next for Chills, he couldn’t reveal much, but he spoke sincerely about his desire to continue to centre Black people and their respective narratives. With years such as this, with One of Them Days kicking off the year and Shadow Force releasing on the heels of Sinners, Leon hopes to contribute to the consistency of Black cinema. Whatever is next, it will likely be action-based, filled with heart and starring talented Black actors.
Muses of Media 
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