John Cena, widely known for his wrestling career and acclaimed acting roles, currently headlines the Peacemaker series under the direction of James Gunn. The show, which explores the complex anti-hero from the DC Comics Universe, features Cena as the central character while marking a significant chapter in his career. Despite his wrestling retirement scheduled for December 13, 2025, Cena continues to leave his mark on entertainment through this role.
James Gunn recently shared on The Howard Stern Show that John Cena was not his original choice to play Peacemaker. Instead, Gunn initially envisioned WWE legend Dave Bautista for the part. Unfortunately, Bautista’s busy schedule with other film projects prevented him from accepting the role, opening the door for Cena’s casting.
“It was Dave Batista is a good friend of mine. Obviously, he plays Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, and I wrote the character of Peacemaker for him, and we offered him the role, but he was offered two movies, and we weren’t paying him a lot and so he had to go where the money was. And I had always been a fan of John since Trainwreck, especially. I thought he was so, so funny in that movie. Yep. That I met with him, we talked, we became instant friends.” —James Gunn, Director
Why Dave Bautista Couldn’t Take the Role
Dave Bautista, famous for his role as Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise and a former WWE star himself, was Gunn’s first pick to portray Peacemaker. Bautista’s wrestling peak came during his time with the Evolution stable led by Triple H in the early 2000s, retiring from WWE in 2019 before shifting fully into acting. Despite his close friendship with Gunn and the offer for Peacemaker, Bautista had to decline due to commitments to other film projects that were financially more rewarding.
John Cena’s Casting Without a Formal Audition
James Gunn revealed that John Cena was cast without an audition for the Peacemaker role. Having admired Cena’s performance in the 2015 film Trainwreck and his brief but notable appearance in the Suicide Squad movie, Gunn felt confident entrusting the role to the WWE star. The depth Cena brought to the character expanded as the series progressed, showing layers of humor and emotion that surprised even Gunn himself.
“I didn’t audition him. I just put him in it. But it was a simple role. It was very much like in Trainwreck, and it just got deeper and deeper. And there was a moment on the set of the Suicide Squad where I went to this close-up to John and I went all the way in on his eyes and I saw the stuff that was occurring behind his eyes and I thought, ‘Wow, this guy could really act.’ And I think if you see, you know, season 2, he is absolutely not only funny, not only grounded, but also incredibly emotional, and I can’t wait for people to see the rest of the season.” —James Gunn, Director
John Cena’s Continued Impact On and Off the Ring
While Cena’s acting career flourishes with roles like Peacemaker, he also remains active in wrestling. He is scheduled to face off against longtime rival Brock Lesnar one final time at Wrestlepalooza on September 20, marking a highly anticipated event in WWE. This dual focus highlights Cena’s resilience and dedication both as a Cenation leader in the ring and as a leading actor in a major DC Universe project.
The casting story behind John Cena’s Peacemaker role offers fans insight into how chance and timing contribute to career-defining moments. With James Gunn’s ongoing guidance and Cena’s compelling portrayal, the series promises to deepen its emotional and comedic appeal going forward.
