John Cena rose to stardom as a prominent figure in WWE, debuting in 1999 as “The Prototype” before moving to WWE’s main roster in 2002. Retiring from wrestling on December 13, 2025, as he approaches his 49th birthday on April 23, Cena has transitioned into a successful career in the film industry.
His journey in movies has seen a remarkable shift from action-packed blockbusters to well-received comedy and superhero films. Cena’s breakthrough comedic role came in Trainwreck in 2015, and he also voiced the pacifist bull in the Oscar-nominated animated film Ferdinand (2017).
Considered a significant turning point in his Hollywood career, Cena portrayed Peacemaker / Christopher Smith in The Suicide Squad (2021). He has solidified his presence on the big screen with roles in the Fast & Furious franchise as Jakob Toretto, Barbie (2023) as Merman Ken, and as the voice of Rocksteady in TMNT: Mutant Mayhem (2023).
Although Cena’s first credited film was the 2006 action movie The Marine, where he played John Triton, he openly expressed his dislike for working on the film due to the behind-the-scenes experience rather than the final product. Adapting from the fast-paced world of WWE, Cena found the slow pace of film sets challenging, where entire days were spent capturing single scenes.
Acknowledging his early focus on films solely to boost wrestling ticket sales rather than artistic pursuits, Cena admitted to being overly critical of the film crew’s pace and not appreciating the patience required in moviemaking. Despite being initially not the first choice for The Marine, Cena eventually accepted the role after being approached by Vince McMahon, stepping in just before production began.
During The Marine’s production, Cena faced additional challenges when he suffered a serious torn pectoral muscle during a WWE match, requiring immediate surgery. Despite the injury, he returned to the set in Australia to complete filming, performing demanding stunts while still recovering, adding to his discontent with the project.
While Cena may not have enjoyed his experience with The Marine, some viewers have found the film entertaining, considering it a cult classic. Viewers on Reddit praised the movie for its over-the-top action and humor, appreciating it as an underrated, enjoyable experience.