“This is beneath you”: John Cena Went Against a Hollywood Agency To Appear in Margot Robbie’s ‘Barbie’ Despite Being Threatened Out of Lead Roles
It’s empowering for actors to make some hard choices when it comes to signing on to movies and shows that seem out of their regular genres. After doing a certain type of role repeatedly, actors want to break free of that mold and try something unique. That’s exactly what John Cena did when he appeared in a cameo role in Greta Gerwig’s Barbie last year. The movie went on to sweep the awards in numerous categories and became a sensational hit.
John Cena’s Cameo in Barbie
The WWE wrestler had shown immense enthusiasm to be a part of the Barbie movie even in a cameo role. This happened after John Cena met Margot Robbie on the set of the Barbie movie since Fast X was being shot nearby. When the actress asked him to be a part of the movie, Cena couldn’t resist. Recalling the serendipitous meeting on The Howard Stern Show, he said,
“Margot was like, ‘We’ll make you a mermaid. You’ll be in it for half a day.’ Yeah, sure. But I think the perspective from an agency standpoint was, ‘This is beneath you,’ which I get that. But also to the agency’s credit, immediately they acquiesced, and I was like, ‘No we’re going to do it,’ but all they can do is offer their guidance. [The agency is] just going on what they know. And what they know is, ‘This entity, this commodity gravitates toward these things, we should stay in this lane.’ But I’m not a commodity. I’m a human being, and I operate under the construct of every opportunity is an opportunity.”
Cena emphasized how the agency did not have the last word on his roles and projects, he did. As an actor, he had the power to decide which project he wanted to dedicate himself to. Moreover, the agency warned him that such a role could diminish his chances of earning a good lead role in other projects. Ultimately, Cena decided to trust his judgment over the agency’s words of caution. He believes good projects will get you more good work. His role in the movie was for less than a minute, but he made an impact even in that short span.
John Cena’s Upcoming Movies
The wrestler-turned-actor will next be seen in Ricky Stanicky with Zac Efron. The movie is set to release this year in March. A comedy-drama blend, the film revolves around a band of friends who blame an imaginary friend for all the trouble they have caused over the course of two decades. Things get real when their spouses want to meet the friend who wreaks havoc in their lives.
Directed by Peter Farrelly, Cena will be seen as a washed-up actor who is hired by the friends to role-play as their imaginary friend. Cena’s comic timing and ability to make the audience laugh even with just his expressions is commendable. Apart from action roles, he shines in comedy movies, as proven in various instances in the past. More projects to follow Ricky Stanicky starring John Cena include Grand Death Lotto and Heads of State.
