Nearly two decades after "The Marine" premiered, John Cena has created a strong filmography for himself. He has appeared in the "Fast & Furious" franchise, contributed to the soon-to-be-defunct DC Extended Universe, and taken on minor supporting roles in the likes of "Barbie" and "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem." He's now a seasoned actor who has proven himself capable of handling a range of roles. However, back when he was working on "The Marine," he didn't quite have his head in the game and failed to grasp the gravity of the situation.
"I was not ready for the opportunity I was given," Cena admitted during a chat with GQ, recalling that "The Marine" was designed to establish WWE Studios. The hope was that this new branch of the company would give WWE a broader reach and generate higher profits in future years. When fellow WWE legend Steve Austin backed out of the project, Cena was swiftly chosen by WWE's then-CEO Vince McMahon to helm the major business endeavor. "I pretty much left a small meeting in his office and packed my bags and went to be in the movies, which I knew nothing about," he said. Not only was adjusting to the slow cinematic process a bit difficult, but at the end of the day, his mind remained squarely on wrestling.
In hindsight, Cena noted that his experience on "The Marine" was an immensely valuable one. He may not have realized it at the time, but he had gotten his first taste of what his new career would eventually be once his days in the WWE ring started to wind down.
