John Cena’s first acting experience was “overwhelming and then immediately disappointing”.
The 49-year-old star made the transition from the wrestling ring to the big screen in 2006 when he appeared in The Marine, but he admitted that he didn’t take filmmaking as seriously as he did his WWE career at the time.
He noted that his first experience was “overwhelming and then immediately disappointing.” PEOPLE“That’s so sad to say, but I have to lead honestly.”
Not taking things seriously, he added, “That really led to me pretty much losing those things.” [acting] possibilities. In 2009, 2010, I was pretty much kicked out of town because of the film industry.
“It was my own fault,” John admitted.
At the time the Blockers actor “didn’t have a lot of passion in the projects I did” and struggled without the excitement of a crowd cheering him on.
“Filmmaking is a patient process, and everyone there has a meaningful position, and I came from a world of live performance where it’s very different,” John explained, adding, “And you have to keep in mind that in 2004 I was in my mid-20s and was the WWE Champion.”
He continued, “Every city I went to, there were thousands of people screaming that I’m amazing or screaming that I’m sucking the air out of their lungs; it was like there’s nothing like it. There’s no such thing as that.”
In contrast, life on a movie set is “quiet in the library,” with no way to gauge how “he was doing,” get “instant gratification,” or know if he “bombed.”
“It’s very long days, it’s very patient days, and I think you just have to have the right mentality for it. Thank God that some people along the way, in 2012, in 2015, saw some potential in me and took another chance,” John said.
Projects like comedies Train wreck, sisters And Dad’s house “Helped John enormously to change [his] perspective,” and now he is forever grateful for the opportunities he gets.
“That really helped me get a second chance that I know may not be fully deserved, but the opportunity comes, and I opened the door, and I’m really trying to do the best I can with it,” John Cena said of how he stabilized himself in the acting industry.
