Why John Cena was 'run out of the movie business' as he makes honest admission about film career
John Cena has said that he was 'run out of the movie business' in a candid admission about his film career.
The wrestler turned movie star had his first role in cinema in 2006 with a part in the film The Marine, and admitted that during the early days of his film career he 'didn’t have my heart' in them.
Speaking to 3rd Hour of Today on 5 October, Cena said he thinks that his outlook towards movies at the start even resulted in him not being given further opportunities, PEOPLE reports.
"I got ran out of the movie business for not caring and that’s justifiably so," he said. "If you don’t care about something, give somebody the opportunity that does.”
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Cena said that early on he was far keener to be in the ring in his wrestling career, saying: “As a young 20-something, God, traveling the world, being out in front of tens of thousands of people every night going nuts and then doing it night after night, that’s where I wanted to be and that’s where I felt comfortable and fluent.”
The wrestler and actor has since reflected on this, saying: “It’s been a long journey. I think that’s the important one, people think things happen over night. Those early projects - truth be told - I didn’t have my heart into.”
He explained that compared to the rush of the ring he had struggled to adapt to film sets, describing them as 'super slow' and 'super patient'.
“I just didn’t have the wisdom for the process," he said.
Of course, Cena has since made a break into mainstream movies, becoming a name outside of the world of wrestling as well as one of the most well-known names within it.
His acting credits have included Barbie, The Suicide Squad, as well as a role in the Fast and Furious franchise with Fast X, and he says that his approach to his craft has changed.
“I’m now super passionate about what I do and that’s everything from filming to sitting here talking about this movie with you guys and I’m so lucky to be given a second chance," he said, "and that took 20 years to craft."
Cena also explained that he has a new-found appreciation of filmmaking, saying: “I understand that every job is important, that everyone is an artist and everyone needs to do their thing.
“And that’s from the caterers, to the grips, to the AD, to the lighting folks, to the performers, you name it, every job makes the thing happen.”
The wrestler and actor also opened up about how he views self-reflection as a positive thing.
“Man, I think there’s nothing wrong with taking inventory of yourself, looking in the mirror, loving yourself for your strengths and your flaws and trying to work to be better than you were yesterday," he said.
It comes after Cena bade farewell to the ring in 2025 with a match against Gunther, sharing a salute to the crowd and telling them: “It’s been a pleasure serving you all these years, thank you."
Kit Roberts