A couple of months back, a report dropped that James Gunn’s Suicide Squad sequel was eyeing professional wrestler and actor John Cena for a role and that he was in talks to join the film. John Cena’s transition to full-time actor has picked up steam in recent years, and a role in The Suicide Squad would mark his long-expected jump to comic book movies. But the actor isn’t quite ready to confirm his entry into the DCEU, instead responding to the rumors by saying:
You have to get everything buttoned up before you can make it official, I don’t want to say anything … I will just say that if that opportunity presents itself, then I will be very grateful to take it.
John Cena isn’t willing to announce he’s joining The Suicide Squad just yet, instead taking the conservative approach by not really saying anything that might get him in trouble. He may be somewhat new to blockbuster filmmaking and would definitely be new to superhero movies, but he has already learned the valuable lesson about not giving away any spoilers, including his own casting, until all the T’s are crossed and the I’s dotted.
Despite his reticence to count his chickens before they hatch, John Cena’s comments to The Wrap definitely don’t refute that his joining The Suicide Squad is in the works. It seems that the casting simply isn’t official just yet and there are still some things that have to be worked out or he’s just not allowed to say anything before a formal announcement. What he did say though would indicate that he is excited about the film.
The Bumblebee actor framed the possibility of joining The Suicide Squad as a role that he would be grateful for and one that “would be a tremendous opportunity for growth.” Indeed, while he already has visibility as a professional wrestler and his cinematic presence continues to grow, a role in a comic book movie would be the next big step for the actor, and one that I think most of us have expected him to eventually take.
This is especially true considering that The Suicide Squad is a sequel (well, sort of) to a $747 million grossing film and one that has Guardians of the Galaxy’s James Gunn at the helm. A comic book movie would pair nicely with his casting in Fast & Furious 9 as John Cena takes the Dwayne Johnson approach of joining blockbuster franchises and comedies.
If John Cena does ultimately come aboard The Suicide Squad in an official capacity, he will join a cast that will include returning stars Margot Robbie, Joel Kinnaman, Jai Courtney and Viola Davis, as well as newcomers Daniela Melchior, David Dastmalchian and Idris Elba. Who John Cena would play, like whether this movie is a reboot or a sequel, remains a mystery, although Peacemaker seems to be a possibility.
James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad opens in theaters on August 6, 2021. Check out our 2019 Release Schedule to see movies headed your way just a bit sooner.
