John Cena Admits Early Hollywood Career Was Hampered by Lack of Passion

John Cena has revealed that his early acting career in Hollywood was nearly derailed because his heart remained in professional wrestling. The WWE superstar admitted that he was once "ran out of the movie business" due to a lack of genuine enthusiasm for acting.

During an appearance on the "TODAY" show, Cena reflected on the challenging start to a film career that has since included roles in major franchises like "The Suicide Squad" and "Fast & Furious," as well as the popular series "Peacemaker." He explained that the slower pace of film sets contrasted sharply with the high-energy environment of WWE, where he felt most comfortable.

"As a young 20-something, God, traveling the world, being out in front of tens of thousands of people every night going nuts and then doing it night after night, that’s where I wanted to be and that’s where I felt comfortable and fluent," Cena said, referring to his wrestling career. He described working on a film set as "super patient" and "super slow," admitting he "just didn’t have the wisdom for the process."

This lack of dedication led to him being dismissed from opportunities. "I got ran out of the movie business for not caring and that’s justifiably so," Cena stated. "If you don’t care about something, give somebody the opportunity that does."

Cena's initial film roles, such as in "The Marine" and "12 Rounds," did not achieve significant success. However, he experienced a career resurgence in the 2010s with roles in "Trainwreck," "Blockers," and "The Suicide Squad." His portrayal of Peacemaker in the DC Extended Universe proved to be a turning point, leading to his own television series.

He later joined the "Fast and Furious" franchise, playing Jakob Toretto in "Fast 9: The Fast Saga" and "Fast X." Cena also had a cameo in the 2023 film "Barbie" and starred in the "Vacation Friends" movie series.

Despite the initial setbacks, Cena has developed a profound passion for acting. "I’m now super passionate about what I do and that’s everything from filming to sitting here talking about this movie with you guys, and I’m so lucky to be given a second chance," he said. "And that took 20 years to craft."

Cena, who began his WWE career in 2002 and won a record 17 world championships before officially retiring in 2025, emphasized the importance of self-reflection and personal growth in achieving his current success in Hollywood. "Man, I think there’s nothing wrong with taking inventory of yourself, looking in the mirror, loving yourself for your strengths and your flaws and trying to work to be better than you were yesterday," he reflected.