John Cena Reflects on His Hollywood Journey

John Cena has shared that his Hollywood career almost fizzled out before it truly began. The WWE superstar confessed that he once “ran out of the movie business,” primarily because acting didn’t hold his interest. He revealed that his passion remained firmly rooted in the wrestling world, and he found it challenging to adapt to the more relaxed pace of a film set.

In a recent appearance on the “TODAY” show, Cena discussed the bumpy start to what would become a successful acting career, which includes notable roles in films like “The Suicide Squad,” the “Fast & Furious” series, and the series “Peacemaker.”

“It’s been a long journey,” Cena remarked. He emphasized that many people believe success happens overnight, but, in reality, his earlier projects did not resonate with him. “Truth be told, I didn’t have my heart into it,” he admitted.

During his twenties, Cena’s priorities lay elsewhere. “Traveling the world and performing in front of thousands of fans every night was where I felt comfortable,” he noted, reminiscing about his time with the WWE.

Reflecting on his early experiences in Hollywood, Cena described the film set environment as “super patient” and “super slow.” He acknowledged that he lacked the understanding of the filmmaking process at that time. “I got ran out of the movie business for not caring, and that’s justifiably so,” he stated. “If you don’t care about something, let someone who does get the chance.”

Cena’s early roles included films like “The Marine” and “12 Rounds,” but it wasn’t until the 2010s, with hits like “Trainwreck,” “Blockers,” and “The Suicide Squad,” that he began to find significant success. His portrayal of Peacemaker has been particularly transformative, eventually leading to a dedicated TV series.

In 2021, Cena joined the “Fast and Furious” franchise and appeared in “Barbie” in 2023. He also starred in the Hulu originals “Vacation Friends” and its sequel. After years of navigating his way through Hollywood, Cena expressed how his outlook on acting has drastically changed. “I’m now super passionate about what I do… I’m so lucky to have a second chance,” he said, reflecting on his growth over the past two decades.

The “TODAY” hosts pointed out Cena’s increased self-awareness as he reminisced about his progress. He stressed the importance of self-reflection, saying, “There’s nothing wrong with taking inventory of yourself.”

Cena kicked off his WWE career in 2002 on “Smackdown!” as “The Prototype,” evolving into the well-known “Doctor of Thuganomics” persona. He has won a record 17 world championships in WWE and officially retired in 2025.