‘The Amateur’: Director James Hawes Talks Spycraft, Authenticity, Sequels, ‘Lanterns’ & More [Interview]

To celebrate the digital release of “The Amateur,” Disney and 20th Century Studios rolled out a once-in-a-lifetime press event in Washington D.C. where journalists were treated to a spy-lover’s dream: a private tour of the International Spy Museum led by none other than Jonna Mendez, the legendary former CIA Chief of Disguise and wife of Tony Mendez (the real-life inspiration for ‘Argo”). She joked, “I was probably the worst employee [the CIA] ever had,” but her mind-blowing stories proved otherwise.

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After the museum, the day continued with rooftop drinks, an intimate walking tour of D.C.’s espionage hot spots guided by a retired CIA operative, and a relaxed social hour where director James Hawes mingled with everyone, swapping tales about the film’s covert inspiration and all things spycraft. Did we mention he participated in the whole day right along with us? What a guy.

“The Amateur” follows Charlie Heller, a brilliant CIA cryptographer, whose life shatters when his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. Driven by grief and a thirst for justice, he blackmails his own agency into training him as an operative so he can hunt down her killers himself. But as he navigates an underworld of shifting loyalties and shocking betrayals, Charlie discovers a far bigger conspiracy and must decide how far he will go for revenge. The film stars Rami Malek, Laurence Fishburne, Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, and Holt McCallany.

Below is the complete conversation between The Playlist, another outlet, and James Hawes on “The Amateur,” edited for clarity.

So, where would you love to travel next if there is a sequel?
Okay, well, first of all, I went to Istanbul in this one, which wasn’t in the book or the script, because it felt contemporary and edgy. So, my brain would be going, “Where can I go that feels relevant, sexy, and visual?” Southeast Asia comes to mind—Vietnam, Cambodia. Also, Namibia is incredibly visual, though I don’t have the story for it yet. So if anyone’s got a script, send it my way!

How much conversation has been going on about a sequel at this point?
Almost none. That parking lot scene with Henderson [Laurence Fishburne] wasn’t even in the original script—that was extra photography because we loved their dynamic so much. It became the poster! You don’t know if he’s gonna hug him or shoot him. It was fun to keep that hanging, but no real sequel talks yet.

You had real CIA consultants on-set. After today’s museum tour with Jonna Mendez, who is fascinating, how many rabbit holes did you go down?
So many. The producers have been on this for ten years — they’re absolute CIA fetishists at this point. The active service guys told us some of the stuff would make your toes curl. We were spoiled for stories.

Did you ever get so close to actual methods that you had to pull back?
Yes. I can’t say too much, but for example, Heller’s digital spoofing is real. They told us, “Yeah, we can do that. We have done it.” Spoofing planes, boats, missiles… terrifying. What inspired us was how operatives improvise lethal tools from everyday stuff.

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Heller has so many clever methods: pollen, pool explosion, etc. Any big set piece you loved but couldn’t pull off for one reason or another?
One comes to mind: when he’s running through the hotel corridors, there are huge rocket fans. We had him jam a plumbing pipe into one to fire shrapnel at his pursuer. In the end, it felt like one stunt too many. But it’s in the streaming extras now, so you can see what might have been.

Some people online called ‘The Amateur’ the ‘Dad Rock of movies.’ Is that an insult or a compliment?
I don’t even know what that means! [Laughs]

You’ve been teasing “Lanterns.” You’ve said it’s got “No Country for Old Men,” “Fargo,” and “True Detective” vibes. Does that mean it’s grounded and Earth-based?
Yes. Very grounded—initially. You start in a real-world buddy cop show, then suddenly someone flies. Chris Mundy —look at what he did with “True Detective” and “Ozark.” It’s a fresh way in: aliens exist, Green Lanterns exist, and people accept it.

Before I go, “Slow Horses” is incredible. That first season you directed is perfect.
Thank you! It’s gonna win an Emmy this year, and it won’t be for me—so I’m a happy and a little upset.

Special thanks to Disney and 20th Century Studios for letting The Playlist join the spy games. ‘The Amateur’ is now available on digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home.

Mike DeAngelo

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