Director James Gunn has revealed that he originally wanted a different actor to play the role of Peacemaker instead of John Cena, and it would have been someone who wrestling fans are very familiar with.
Cena first debuted as the DC antihero in the 2021 film The Suicide Squad, which was also a remake of the 2016 movie. Finding success in the role, Cena has continued to play the character in the HBO spinoff series Peacemaker, which in the middle of its second season and has once again garnered positive reviews from critics. However, according to Gunn, he had someone else in mind for the role.
John Cena Was Second Choice To Play Peacemaker
Appearing on Howard Stern, Gunn stated that he wrote the Peacemaker role for Dave Bautista, who chose another role that was given to him at that time:
“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, so he had to go where the money was.”
An accomplished actor in his own right, Bautista has joined the likes of Cena and The Rock as former WWE Champions who have found success in Hollywood. The Animal famously worked with Gunn when he played Drax in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, which he also made cameo appearances for in the final 2 Avengers movies and Thor: Love and Thunder.
With a variety of roles in niche movies along with major blockbusters, there has been a general fan consensus over the past few years that Bautista is the best wrestler turned actor. However, this perception could change in a few weeks when The Rock’s latest movie The Smashing Machine hits theatres. Already receiving rave reviews, there has been significant Oscar buzz surrounding The Rock in what could be his defining role.
H/t to Fightful for the use of transcription.
Featured image: Katie Yu/HBO Max [Via Hollywood Reporter]
