John Cena has opened up about a mistake early in his acting career that nearly cost him his place in Hollywood, admitting that he initially did not take filmmaking as seriously as he should have.
The former WWE star, who has spent nearly two decades appearing in films, said acting was not his main priority when he first transitioned from professional wrestling to the big screen.
Cena made his film debut in The Marine after establishing himself as one of WWE’s biggest stars. However, he said his focus at the time remained firmly on wrestling.
Speaking about his upcoming film Matchbox: The Movie, Cena described his acting career as a “long journey” and acknowledged that he was not fully committed to his early projects.
“Those early projects, truth be told, I didn’t have my heart into,” Cena said.
Wrestling remained Cena’s priority
Cena explained that he loved travelling around the world and performing in front of huge crowds, making professional wrestling the environment in which he felt most comfortable.
Film production, meanwhile, was a very different experience.
The actor said he initially struggled to understand why movie sets could move so slowly and why productions required so much time to complete.
Looking back, Cena said his lack of commitment eventually had consequences.
“So I got ran out of the movie business for not caring, and that’s justifiably so,” he admitted.
The experience forced Cena to reconsider his approach to acting and the responsibilities involved in making a film.
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Cena says he now respects filmmaking
Cena said his attitude towards acting has changed significantly over the years.
He now enjoys the filmmaking process and has developed a greater appreciation for the many people who work behind the scenes to bring a movie to audiences.
“I am now super passionate about what I do,” he said.
The actor has since built a diverse film career, appearing in action movies, comedies and major Hollywood franchises while continuing to maintain his connection with WWE.
After nearly 20 years in the film industry, Cena said he feels fortunate to have been given another opportunity to develop his craft.
“I’m so lucky to be given a second chance,” he said.
His comments offer a candid look at the transition from professional wrestling to Hollywood and the change in mindset that helped him establish a lasting acting career.
