John Cena’s ability to speak Chinese opened a unique door when Jackie Chan’s team approached him with a film opportunity in 2023. This chance arose during a <a href="https://cynicaltimes.org/category/wrestling-news/wwe/”>WWE press event held in Shanghai, highlighting how language skills played a pivotal role in expanding Cena’s acting career alongside the legendary Jackie Chan.
The Unexpected Call from Jackie Chan’s Team
In 2023, John Cena starred alongside Jackie Chan in the action film Hidden Strike, which also featured Ma Chunrui and Pilou Asbaek. This project marked another milestone following Cena’s transition to part-time wrestling and his breakout role as Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad. The connection with Chan’s team began when Cena delivered a speech in Chinese during a WWE press conference connected to their business partnership in China.
The impact of Cena’s fluent Chinese impressed Jackie Chan, prompting his team to contact Cena about joining an upcoming film. Cena recalled the moment in an interview with Stephanie McMahon on her podcast, explaining how the opportunity materialized unexpectedly.
“And then I got a phone call from Jackie Chan’s people. Jackie was supposed to do a movie with Sylvester Stallone. Jackie saw that press conference and was like ‘Who is this kid? Put him in this movie.’ And I got a call saying like, ‘Hey, you can work with Jackie Chan who’s one of the greatest physical storytellers of our generation, he’s like the Charlie Chaplin.’” —John Cena, WWE Star
This invitation not only meant working alongside one of cinema’s most acclaimed physical performers but also allowed Cena to join Chan’s stunt team, gaining valuable experience in martial arts choreography and stunt performing.
The Intensive Training and Extended Stay with Jackie Chan’s Stunt Team
Once involved with Jackie Chan’s stunt family, Cena undertook rigorous training, sharpening both his physical skills and his ability to perform complex action sequences. The production schedule for the movie shifted unexpectedly from May to September, which extended Cena’s time working in China.
Reflecting on the experience, Cena shared how the delay kept him in China longer than anticipated, allowing him to fully immerse himself in the demanding training sessions.
“I’m like, ‘man, this will be great.’ I can go work on my Chinese. I get to do a movie with one of the greats. It’s gonna be fantastic. And I’ll be the throw people guy, and he’ll be the stunty guy. And the reason I was there for so long is because sometimes they shift production in China without telling you. And I got there in, like, maybe. And we were supposed to shoot in the second week of May, and they moved the shoot to September, and they didn’t want me to go home. So, I gotta be part of the Jackie Chan stunt family for a few months. And we worked out twice a day for four and a half hours a session. And it was all the stuff that I hate.” —John Cena, WWE Star
Despite the physically grueling routine that stretched over months, this time helped Cena develop both his stunt capabilities and deepen his connection to Chinese culture and language, making this project much more than just another film role.
John Cena’s Journey to Learning Chinese and WWE’s Role
When Stephanie McMahon questioned Cena about his motivation to learn Chinese, he revealed that WWE had launched several talent development programs around 2012. These initiatives offered support such as college degrees, financial advice, medical care, and the opportunity to learn a second language. Cena seized this chance to become WWE’s ambassador in China by committing to fluency in Chinese.
Cena emphasized that during one of the WWE assemblies, he volunteered to be the company’s representative in China, formally announcing his plan to master the language. This decision later proved instrumental in creating a bridge between his wrestling career and international acting opportunities.
Significance of John Cena’s Unique Skill Set in Expanding His Acting Career
John Cena’s dedication to learning Chinese combined with his wrestling fame positioned him uniquely for international roles, especially in the Chinese film market. Being able to communicate in Chinese caught the attention of Jackie Chan, demonstrating the growing importance of cultural and linguistic skills in entertainment careers.
His work with Chan’s stunt team not only enhanced Cena’s action credentials but also strengthened his global appeal, making him a versatile performer capable of crossing cultural barriers. This experience may encourage other talents to pursue language skills as a way to open doors in global markets and diverse film industries.
