John Cena Was Rejected Several Times by MCU and DCEU for Superhero Movies Such as Deadpool and Shazam before Landing the Role of Peacemaker

John Cena is enjoying a fairly successful career in Hollywood. After carving out a legendary wrestling career in WWE, John Cena forayed into Hollywood. Even during his time in WWE, Cena did decent movies like The Marine, 12 Rounds, Legendary, and many more. However, he was rejected multiple times by Marve and DC Extended Universe. The Cenation leader’s big break in Hollywood was when he was cast in DCEU’s Suicide Squad 2 as Peacemaker. 

Peacemaker was introduced as a villain who would go to any lengths, including killing the innocent, to keep the peace. Cena did justice with his character and landed the lead role in HBO’s spinoff of Peacemaker. Although the 46-year-old is now a prominent DCEU mainstay as of now, he failed to bag two major roles earlier in his acting career. 

John Cena was rejected multiple times by MCU and DCEU for superhero roles

While speaking with Josh Horowitz on The Happy Sad Confused podcast, John Cena recalled the times he was rejected for superhero roles by Marvel. Before eventually joining DCEU, John Cena failed to be cast in Deadpool 2 as Cable.

The multiple-time WWE Champion also revealed that he was angling to be in Shazam, but he did not succeed in landing the role. The role of Cable in Deadpool 2 eventually went to Josh Brolin.

“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.”

Cena further added that he was really hoping to get the role in Shazam. The Peacemaker star added that he admires and relates to Shazam’s childish nature.

According to him, he reads the script and goes beyond just chasing the role. Nevertheless, John Cena is now deeply invested in DCEU. It’s not very likely for Cena to get new roles from MCU. However, the possibility cannot be ruled out, as it depends on Cena’s contract with Warner Bros. 

“I think like a child, so Shazam was super interesting to me. And when I read the script, a lot of times, like… this is the thing, I don’t just chase ‘I want to do this,’ I always have to read it.”

John Cena suffered a fifth loss on his WrestleMania record

John Cena returned to the squared circle and faced Austin Theory for the US title at WrestleMania 39. But the sixteen-time World Champion found himself on the losing side after Austin Theory hit him with a low blow to pick up the win.

The wrestling legend has competed in 15 WrestleMania matches in total, out of which, he has won 10. His defeat at WrestleMania 39 added to his number of losses at the Grandest Stage. This means John Cena is 10-5 at WrestleMania.

Click here for more wrestling news.