WWE superstar John Cena has stepped into a major role as Peacemaker after legendary wrestler Dave Bautista declined the part. The decision was revealed during the promotion of Peacemaker season 2, currently streaming on HBO Max, highlighting John Cena‘s expanding presence beyond wrestling into Hollywood.
Background on John Cena and Batista’s WWE Careers
John Cena and Dave Bautista share a long history within World Wrestling Entertainment, both beginning their careers in Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) back in 2000. While Bautista retired from wrestling in 2019 to focus on acting, Cena is preparing for his own WWE retirement slated for the end of 2025. Both have successfully transitioned from the ring to major film and television projects, with Cena now making significant strides in Hollywood.
James Gunn’s Insight into Peacemaker Casting Changes
James Gunn, the director of Peacemaker, recently disclosed on The Howard Stern Show that the character of Peacemaker was initially written with Batista in mind. However, Bautista turned down the role because he had more lucrative offers elsewhere. This led to John Cena being cast as his replacement in the series.
“I wrote the character of Peacemaker for him (Batista), and we offered him the role, but [he] was offered two movies, and we weren’t paying him a lot, so he had to go where the money was,” —James Gunn, Peacemaker Director
Upcoming WWE Clash: Cena vs. Lesnar
John Cena’s WWE journey continues with a noteworthy rivalry against Brock Lesnar. After losing the Undisputed WWE Championship to Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam 2025, Cena was ambushed by Lesnar, who made a dramatic return to WWE. Lesnar further intensified the feud with attacks during Cena’s United States Championship match against Sami Zayn on SmackDown, hitting both competitors with his finishing move, the F5.
The two wrestling icons are now scheduled to face off in a singles match at the upcoming Wrestlepalooza Premium Live Event. Fans and the WWE community are keen to see how Triple H’s creative team will shape this high-profile encounter, adding further excitement to Cena’s final years in WWE.
Significance of Cena’s Role as Peacemaker and WWE Plans
John Cena’s replacement of Batista as Peacemaker not only underlines his rising stature in entertainment beyond wrestling but also reflects the competitive nature of casting decisions in Hollywood. Meanwhile, the intensified storyline with Brock Lesnar highlights WWE’s efforts to build compelling narratives leading up to Cena’s retirement. These developments mark a significant phase in Cena’s career, blending his WWE legacy with his growing profile in acting.
