John Cena is opening up about the mistake that nearly ended his acting career years before he became one of Hollywood’s biggest wrestling-to-acting success stories.
The 49-year-old actor and former WWE star recently reflected on his early film career, admitting that he simply did not have his heart in the projects he was making. At the time, Cena was far more passionate about wrestling and the energy of performing in front of huge live crowds.
Cena made his movie debut in 2006’s “The Marine” and returned to the big screen in 2009 with “12 Rounds.” But he said the slower pace of filmmaking was difficult for him to appreciate when he was in his 20s and deeply focused on WWE.
Looking back, Cena said he was eventually “run out of the movie business” because he did not care enough about the work. He acknowledged that the setback was justified, saying that if someone does not care about an opportunity, someone who truly does should have the chance instead.
His career eventually changed after he found a renewed passion for filmmaking. A smaller role in “Trainwreck” helped give him another opportunity, and he went on to appear in major movies including “The Suicide Squad,” “Fast X” and “Barbie.”
Now, Cena says he is deeply passionate about acting and has developed a much greater appreciation for everyone involved in making a movie, from performers to crew members.
After nearly 20 years of growth, Cena says he feels fortunate to have been given a second chance in the movie business.