Who Stars in Project Power? A Complete Guide to the Cast and Their Superpowers

Project Power, the 2020 high-octane science fiction thriller released by Netflix, captured global attention with its unique premise: a pill that grants unpredictable superpowers for exactly five minutes. Set in the gritty streets of New Orleans, the film's success wasn't just due to its visual effects or its kinetic action sequences, but rather its powerhouse ensemble cast. Leading the charge are Academy Award winner Jamie Foxx, the versatile Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and the breakout star Dominique Fishback.

The film follows an unlikely trio—a former soldier, a local police officer, and a teenage drug dealer—as they team up to dismantle the organization behind the dangerous "Power" drug. Each actor brings a distinct energy to the screen, grounding the fantastical elements of the plot in raw, human emotion.

The Main Trio: Power, Law, and Survival

The heart of Project Power lies in the chemistry between its three leads. Their characters represent different facets of New Orleans society, brought together by a shared goal to stop the exploitation of their city.

Jamie Foxx as Art (The Major)

Jamie Foxx delivers a performance that balances intense physicality with a father's desperation. Art, known as "The Major," is a former U.S. Army Ranger and Delta Force operator. He is not just looking to stop the drug; he is on a personal mission to rescue his daughter, Tracy, who was kidnapped by the pharmaceutical company Teleios.

As an original test subject for the early versions of the drug, Art possesses one of the most devastating powers in the film: the ability of the Pistol Shrimp. This power allows him to generate intense heat and pressure, effectively launching shockwaves that can incinerate everything in his path. Foxx brings a seasoned gravity to the role, portraying a man who has seen the dark side of military experimentation and is willing to burn the world down to save his child.

In our analysis of the performance, Foxx excels in the quieter moments with Robin (Dominique Fishback). While he is a lethal killing machine, his mentorship of the young girl provides the film's moral compass. His experience in action cinema, from Django Unchained to The Kingdom, is evident in how he handles the complex stunt choreography and the physical toll of his character's "power-up" scenes.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Frank Shaver

Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Frank Shaver, a dedicated NOPD detective who isn't afraid to break the rules to protect his city. Frank represents the "law" side of the trio, but with a twist—he uses the Power drug himself to level the playing field against enhanced criminals.

Frank’s specific power is Dermal Hardening, inspired by the rhinoceros or certain thick-skinned pachyderms. For five minutes, his skin becomes completely bulletproof, allowing him to walk through gunfire unscathed. This role required Gordon-Levitt to portray a character with a strong moral gray area; he is a cop who buys illegal drugs from a teenager, yet he does so with the intent of saving lives.

Gordon-Levitt, known for his roles in Inception and The Dark Knight Rises, brings a relatable, "everyman" quality to Frank. He doesn't play him as a traditional superhero, but as a frustrated public servant trying to survive an escalating arms race on the streets. His interactions with his police captain and his growing realization of the systemic corruption within the city add a layer of social commentary to his performance.

Dominique Fishback as Robin Reilly

If Jamie Foxx is the muscle and Joseph Gordon-Levitt is the shield, Dominique Fishback is the soul of Project Power. Playing Robin Reilly, a street-smart teenager dealing Power to pay for her mother’s medical bills, Fishback delivers a breakout performance that often outshines her more established co-stars.

Robin doesn't have a superpower derived from a pill for most of the film; her power is her intellect and her voice. An aspiring rapper, she uses her lyrical talent to express the frustrations of her community. One of the most authentic aspects of Fishback’s performance is her actual involvement in the character’s artistry; the actress, a talented poet and performer in real life, helped craft the raps featured in the movie.

Her character serves as the bridge between Art and Frank. Through her eyes, the audience sees the human cost of the drug trade. Fishback’s ability to transition from a terrified teenager to a brave ally makes Robin the most relatable character in the story. Following this film, Fishback’s career skyrocketed, leading to acclaimed roles in Judas and the Black Messiah and Transformers: Rise of the Beasts.

The Antagonists: The Architects of Project Power

Every superhero-adjacent story needs formidable villains, and Project Power provides a corporate and physical threat through its supporting cast.

Rodrigo Santoro as Biggie

Rodrigo Santoro, perhaps best known for his role as Xerxes in 300, takes on the role of Biggie. Biggie is a charismatic but ruthless promoter for the Power drug. He isn't just a dealer; he is a visionary who believes the pill is the next step in human evolution.

When Biggie takes the pill during a pivotal demonstration, his power is a grotesque transformation into a giant, hulking version of himself, exhibiting Superhuman Size and Strength. The visual effects combined with Santoro’s physical acting create a terrifying spectacle. He represents the greed of the distributors who view New Orleans as nothing more than a laboratory for their product.

Amy Landecker as Gardner

Amy Landecker portrays Gardner, the high-level operative for Teleios who oversees the Project Power initiative. Unlike Biggie, Gardner doesn't need physical strength to be threatening. She represents the cold, calculating nature of corporate malfeasance. Landecker plays the role with a chilling detachment, viewing the "test subjects" as mere data points rather than human beings. Her performance emphasizes the film’s themes of exploitation and the lack of accountability in private defense contracting.

Supporting Cast and Surprise Cameos

The world of Project Power is populated by a diverse group of characters who add texture to the New Orleans setting.

• Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker) as Newt: In an early, memorable sequence, the famous musician plays Robin’s cousin, Newt. His power is Thermoregulation/Pyrokinesis, allowing him to generate fire from his body. However, the scene serves as a warning, showing the physical toll the drug takes on the user—Newt’s body is literally scorched by his own ability.
• Courtney B. Vance as Captain Crane: The veteran actor plays Frank’s commanding officer. Vance brings his signature authority to the role, representing the pressure the NOPD faces from federal and corporate entities to look the other way.
• Casey Neistat as Moto: The YouTube pioneer makes a cameo as a low-level henchman. His presence was a significant talking point for fans of his vlog, adding a modern, meta-layer to the film's cast.
• Allen Maldonado as Landry: One of the figures involved in the drug's circulation, Maldonado adds to the gritty realism of the street-level operations.
• Kyanna Simone Simpson as Tracy: Playing Art’s daughter, her character is the "MacGuffin" of the film but also its most powerful entity. Unlike others who need a pill, Tracy was born with abilities due to her father’s altered DNA, specifically the power of Organic Healing.

The Science of the Stars: Animal Abilities in the Cast

One of the unique aspects of Project Power is how the actors had to portray abilities based on real-world animal biology. This required a specific type of physical acting to make the "five-minute" transformations believable.

The Wolverine Frog and Knife Bones

Yoshi Sudarso plays a henchman named "Knife Bones." His power is derived from the Wolverine Frog, an actual amphibian that breaks its own bones to produce claws. Sudarso, a skilled martial artist and stuntman, had to convey the agony and the lethality of this transformation through intense physical performance, making it one of the most visceral scenes in the film.

The Chameleon and Camouflage

Characters like Griff (played by Cory DeMeyers) utilize the power of Adaptive Camouflage, similar to a chameleon or cuttlefish. The actors in these roles worked closely with the VFX team to ensure their movements matched the shifting textures of the background, creating a seamless blend of live action and digital enhancement.

Full Cast List for Project Power (2020)

For those looking for the complete breakdown of every speaking role and contributor, here is the detailed cast list:

Production and Creative Vision

The cast was directed by the duo Henry Joost and Ariel Schulman, known for their work on Nerve and the Paranormal Activity franchise. Their choice to cast New Orleans natives and use local locations helped the actors ground their performances in a real sense of place. The screenplay, written by Mattson Tomlin (who also worked on The Batman), provided the cast with sharp dialogue that moved beyond typical superhero tropes.

The chemistry between Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt was a particular focus during production. Despite being two of Hollywood's biggest stars, they had never shared the screen before. Their "buddy-cop" dynamic, albeit one where one is a vigilante and the other is a detective, drives the second half of the film with a mix of humor and tension.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Does Dominique Fishback really rap in Project Power?

Yes. Dominique Fishback is a talented performer and poet. She worked closely with the filmmakers and musical consultants to ensure her character's rapping was authentic. She actually wrote her own lyrics for the scenes where Robin freestyles, which added a layer of genuine skill to her performance.

Is Machine Gun Kelly a main character?

No, Machine Gun Kelly (Colson Baker) has a relatively short role at the beginning of the movie as Newt. However, his character is pivotal for demonstrating the extreme dangers and the visual spectacle of the "Power" drug.

Who is the girl with the healing powers?

The girl is Tracy, played by Kyanna Simone Simpson. She is the daughter of Jamie Foxx's character, Art. Her powers are unique because she does not need to take a pill; she inherited her abilities naturally because her father was an original test subject for Teleios.

Where have I seen the actor who plays Biggie before?

Rodrigo Santoro, who plays Biggie, is famous for several major roles. He played Xerxes in 300 and 300: Rise of an Empire, and he also starred as Hector Escaton in the HBO series Westworld.

Are there any famous YouTuber cameos in Project Power?

Yes, Casey Neistat, a world-renowned YouTuber and filmmaker, appears as Moto, one of the henchmen. His brother, Dean Neistat, also appears in the film as a character named Johnson.

Conclusion

The cast of Project Power is what elevates the film from a standard action flick to a memorable piece of science fiction. By combining the star power of Jamie Foxx and Joseph Gordon-Levitt with the raw, emotional talent of Dominique Fishback, the movie creates a grounded world where superpowers have real consequences. Whether it’s the terrifying physical transformations of the villains or the lyrical defiance of a teenager in New Orleans, the performances remain the most powerful element of this Netflix original. As viewers revisit the film, the depth of the ensemble—from its A-list leads to its surprising cameos—continues to stand out as a highlight of 2020 cinema.