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• DC Studios president James Gunn originally wanted an actor other than John Cena for Peacemaker (but Cena won him over so much, he changed the character’s fate)

John Cena wasn't happy with the roles he got in Hollywood for a decade and said it only began to shift to meatier opportunities once he started to apply the same hard work and hustle to his acting as he did to his wrestling.

"Peacemaker changed by life. James Gunn changed my life," he says at Fan Expo Chicago 2025.

He signed on the Peacemaker role at the last minute and only had about a month and a half to prepare. He recalls the scene in the movie where Peacemaker, Bloodsport, and other Suicide Squad members arrive on the beach, as that's where Gunn gave him the guidance that would help him own the role.

"They put down the essential Suicide Squad, and those guys have a bad go of it, and then they put us down at an alternate location. The reason that's my favorite scene is because it reinforces one of the core principles of my professional life: Be coachable," he says.

Cena prepared every single day for the role, asking himself who Peacemaker would be, what he would think and how he would react.

"I came up with a Peacemaker, but it's not the Peacemaker you see," he says. "They built this huge beach in the backlot. It's the 'I would eat a beach full of dicks for freedom if I have to.' It was that scene. You guys know it. That's all I have to say."

But there was a creative difference.

"James wasn't vibing with all my choices," he says. "After two takes, he's waving at the side of the beach and calls 'cut.' There's a long pause, and then right in front of everybody he says, 'Throw all that away. I don't want you to do this. Just be a douchey, bro-y Captain America."

Cena figured he had two choices.

"I could say no because I've already done all this work and say I'm not throwing it away," he says. "Or you know what you're talking about, to hell with all the effort, I'll take your advice. I'm so glad for this moment because I failed. After that moment, I gained a mentor. Somebody saw something in me: wow, you're coachable. You seem to like this. Let's make more stuff."

The Suicide Squad debut led to the HBO Max Peacemaker show that returns soon for a second season.

"Peacemaker was dead in The Suicide Squad. But Gunn brought him back. Apparently, something worked," he says.

Peacemaker season 2 comes to HBO Max on August 21.

Enjoy our guides to how to watch the recent DCEU, the Arrowverse, and James Gunn's upcoming DCU.