After nailing down a legendary wrestling career, John Cena forayed into Hollywood. While John Cena had already dipped his toes in acting during his wrestling career, he got his big break in the 2021 DC Extended Universe film, The Suicide Squad. The wrestling legend played the role of Peacemaker in the movie. After his addition to the DCEU movie Suicide Squad, John Cena was asked if he was open to the idea of being featured in a Marvel Extended Universe (MCU) film.
Following the success of The Suicide Squad, John Cena bagged the lead role of Peacemaker in a spinoff HBO Max TV series. With Peacemaker season 2 confirmed, John Cena has become an integral part of the DCEU. However, he once expressed his willingness to be cast in Marvel Studio’s Fantastic Four while being a part of the DCEU.
Due to their rivalry, actors from either DCEU or MCU are not allowed to work for both franchises. In addition, the highly-anticipated Marvel and DCEU crossover still remains a pipedream.
DCEU’s John Cena once wanted to be cast in an MCU film
During an appearance on Esquire’s “Explain This”, John Cena explained a list of things on the internet that were related to him. At one point, a MovieWeb article entitled: “John Cena Would Be Perfect as The Thing in Marvel’s Fantastic Four Reboot” popped up on the screen.
John Cena was asked if he was open to the role. Without hesitation, the WWE icon expressed his readiness for the opportunity. John Cena stated that he is always open to exploring new options, hinting at a potential Marvel debut.
“I would consider most any-thing. I think keeping yourself open to options and different perspectives is a good way to go about life. This would simply be a thing that I would consider, because I like to keep my perspective open to new things.”
John Cena playing “The Thing” would indeed be very interesting. The role of Ben Grimm was previously portrayed by Michael Chiklis and Jamie Bell. Michael Chiklis played the role in Fantastic Four 2005 and 2007.
Jamie Bell was featured as The Thing in 2015’s Fantastic Four. The 2015 film, however, was heavily panned by the critics. Interestingly, John Cena was once rejected by Marvel for a superhero role.
John Cena was rejected by MCU for a role in Deadpool 2
During an interview with Josh Horowitz on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, John Cena revealed that he was rejected several times for superhero roles by MCU and DCEU. The 16-time World Champion was reportedly angling to portray the role of Cable in Deadpool. However, the role eventually went to Josh Brolin.
John Cena got rejected from multiple Marvel movies before #Peacemaker
He was in the running for Cable in ‘Deadpool 2’
(via @joshuahorowitz) pic.twitter.com/U69y2wJ7t9
— Fandom (@getFANDOM) January 14, 2022
“I can’t tell you how many superhero roles I’ve been rejected for. Shazam is certainly one. There was a brief try at the Deadpool universe, rejection.”
“Shazam was Dikembe Mutumbo. There was a few in the Marvel universe, rejected. But you know, I kept trying.”
John also added that he was DCEU’s Shazam. Fast forward to this day, John Cena and James Gunn have a wholesome relationship. James Gunn has spoken highly of John Cena after the success of Peacemaker. We will have to wait and see what John Cena’s future in Hollywood holds.
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