Summary
- John Cena defied his agency’s advice to take a role in
Barbie
, showcasing his willingness to embrace diverse opportunities outside his comfort zone. - Cena’s commitment to the cameo, despite concerns from his team, highlights his belief that every opportunity is worth exploring and seizing.
- The wrestler-turned-actor’s versatility and determination have not only surprised but delighted audiences, proving there’s more to him than high-speed chases.
John Cena‘s career trajectory has taken an intriguing detour when he took a brief part in the critically acclaimed and box-office champion Barbie. Cena recently revealed that he almost missed on the role when his agency discouraged him from taking the role.
Cena’s cameo as a Merman in Barbie, a film that has marveled the audiences with its whimsical charm and starred Margot Robbie and Ryan Gosling, was a departure from his more familiar roles. Cena is known primarily for his muscular presence in action-packed sagas. The film, under Greta Gerwig’s direction, achieved eight Academy Award nominations and was 2023’s highest-grossing film. Despite the allure of being part of such a successful project, Cena revealed on The Howard Stern Show that his participation was nearly thwarted by his own team’s reservations.
The actor shared that his agency expressed concerns about the cameo being “beneath” him, given his stature as a leading man in high-octane franchises like Fast & Furious. Cena, who doesn’t employ a publicity agent and relies on a manager and an agency for role selection, understood their perspective but chose to follow his instincts. “I’m not a commodity. I’m a human being, and I operate under the construct of every opportunity is an opportunity,” Cena asserted. He further continued:
“I read the script, I tried my hardest to be in the movie. Margot was like, ‘We’ll make you a mermaid. You’ll be in it for half a day.’ Yeah, sure,” he said. “But I think the perspective from an agency standpoint was, ‘
This is beneath you
,’ which I get that. But also to the agency’s credit, immediately they acquiesced, and I was like, ‘No we’re going to do it,’ but all they can do is offer their guidance. They’re not ultimately making the choice.”
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His commitment to the role in Barbie was unwavering, even though it meant juggling schedules with his filming for Fast X. Cena’s flexibility and determination paid off, as his brief appearance added a unique flavor to the film’s ensemble cast. This choice reflects Cena’s philosophy that good work leads to more opportunities, a principle that has guided his career beyond the wrestling ring and into diverse acting ventures.
John Cena’s Path to Versatility: From High-Speed Chases to Diverse Characters
Looking ahead, Cena’s slate is filled with promising projects. His role in the Peacemaker series keeps him in the spotlight in the DC Universe, with anticipation building for season two. Additionally, Cena is set to star in the comedy Ricky Stanicky, alongside Zac Efron, which is slated for release on Prime Video in March 2024. While his future in the Fast & Furious franchise remains uncertain, Cena’s willingness to explore varied roles demonstrates his versatility as an actor.
Barbie
is available to stream on Max.
John Cena’s cameo in Barbie may have been brief, but it signifies a broader willingness among actors to step outside their comfort zones and embrace diverse roles. As Cena navigates his career with an open mind and a spirit of adventure, he continues to surprise and delight audiences, proving that there’s more to him than just high-speed chases and wrestling rings.
Barbie
- Release Date
- July 21, 2023
This story originally appeared on Movieweb
