John Cena<\/a> has admitted his first step into Hollywood led to him being virtually frozen out of the movie business.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
John Cena has admitted his first step into Hollywood led to him being virtually frozen out of the movie business<\/p>\n
Revealing he nearly lost his acting career after failing to take filmmaking seriously following his breakout WWE success, the wrestler turned actor, 49, made the admission as he reflected on his early years in cinema ahead of the 20th anniversary of The Marine \u2013 the action film that marked his big-screen debut after becoming one of WWE\u2019s defining stars of the 2000s. <\/p>\n
Speaking to People magazine, John said the transition from sold-out wrestling arenas to silent film sets proved far more difficult than he expected. <\/p>\n
He said about making The Marine: \u201c(This) is so sad to say, but I have to lead with honesty.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat (The Marine) really led me to pretty much lose those (acting) opportunities. I pretty much was run out of town for the movie business in 2009, 2010. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt was my own fault.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJohn also explained he struggled to adapt from WWE\u2019s live-performance atmosphere \u2013 where audience reactions are immediate \u2013 to the slower pace of film production.<\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cMaking movies is a patient process, and everyone there has a meaningful position, and I came from a world of live performance where it\u2019s very different.<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAnd you gotta keep in mind in 2004, heck, I was in my mid-20s, and I was WWE champion.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nThe Marine received mixed reviews upon its release in 2006.<\/p>\n
\nJohn, whose career later expanded into major franchises including Fast and Furious, Transformers and DC\u2019s Peacemaker, said he initially approached acting with the wrong mindset during a period when he was at the peak of his WWE fame. <\/p>\n
\nHe became one of wrestling\u2019s biggest stars during WWE\u2019s Ruthless Aggression era, headlining WrestleMania events and building a loyal fanbase with his \u201cDoctor of Thuganomics\u201d persona before evolving into the company\u2019s clean-cut leading figure. <\/p>\n
\nHis catchphrases and rivalry-driven performances helped establish him as one of WWE\u2019s most recognisable modern stars alongside figures such as Dwayne Johnson and Dave Bautista, both of whom also successfully transitioned into Hollywood careers.<\/p>\n
\nJohn said about his wrestling career: \u201cEvery town I went to, there were thousands of people either screaming that I\u2019m awesome or screaming that I suck at the top of their lungs \u2013 it was like there\u2019s nothing like it. <\/p>\n
\n\u201cThere\u2019s no feeling like it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nBy comparison, he described film sets as \u201clibrary silent\u201d, adding there was no way to know whether a performance was working in the moment.<\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cThey\u2019re very long days, they\u2019re very patient days, and I think you just have to be in the mindset for it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nJohn credited filmmakers and casting directors for eventually giving him another chance in Hollywood after several quieter years.<\/p>\n
\nHe said: \u201cThank goodness that some people along the way, in 2012, in 2015, saw some potential in me and took another gamble.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nHis second act in Hollywood included supporting comedy roles in Trainwreck alongside Amy Schumer, as well as appearances in Sisters and Daddy’s Home, which John said helped reshape his outlook on acting.<\/p>\n
\nHe added: \u201cThat\u2019s why I approach every single opportunity now with gratitude and just try to be coachable.\u201d<\/p>\n
\nSince then, John has appeared in Blockers, F9, Barbie, The Suicide Squad and the Transformers franchise, while Peacemaker became one of the standout streaming hits for HBO Max.<\/p>\n
\nThis summer, John is due to appear in Little Brother and Coyote vs. Acme, with Apple TV+ also preparing to release Matchbox: The Movie later this year.<\/p>\n
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