John Cena recently opened up about his experience filming WWE Studios’ action movie The Marine (2006), candidly admitting that during the shoot his mind was elsewhere, focused primarily on his wrestling career rather than fully committing to the film. Speaking at the Boston Fan Expo in August 2025, Cena revealed, “I didn’t take it seriously. The movie came out in 2006, and I believe it was shot in 2005. I wanted to be world champion. The movie was fun, but I wanted to be elsewhere. That’s a huge takeaway because for me, if you’re not present, then you’re dealing with constant distractions. My heart wasn’t in it”[1].

This brutally honest reflection highlights a significant turning point in Cena’s professional journey—a moment when his passion for WWE wrestling overtook his initial foray into Hollywood. Cena’s wrestling focus proved fruitful; since then, he has cemented his legendary status with a record-breaking seventeen world title wins, including his acclaimed victory over Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania 41, as noted by Fightful and WWE.com[1].

The Unexpected Start to Cena’s Acting Career

The Marine was a pivotal project, marking Cena’s debut in a leading film role. Originally slated for Stone Cold Steve Austin, the movie was a last-minute opportunity for Cena after Austin dropped out just two weeks before filming. WWE Chairman Vince McMahon personally called Cena and told him, “Hey, I gotta send you to Australia.” Cena recalled in a GQ interview how he practically left a meeting, packed his bags, and went to film the movie with no prior acting experience or preparation: “I pretty much left a small meeting in his office and packed my bags and went to be in the movies, which I knew nothing about”[2].

Despite this whirlwind start, Cena embraced the challenge, performing the overwhelming majority of his own stunts— reportedly 98.9 percent —which made the physicality of filming very different from wrestling in the WWE ring, given the long hours and multiple takes for fight scenes. Cena told WWE.com, “When you’re filming a fight scene, it could go 12 hours or 16 hours. Many days from that movie set, I went home with my tail between my legs, but I would not give in to the stunt doubles”[4]. His commitment to authenticity helped solidify the film’s intense action sequences, which WWE fans appreciated even if the film itself received mixed critical reviews.

From Wrestling to Hollywood: Lessons in Presence and Passion

Looking back, Cena’s key takeaway from his time on The Marine set is the importance of being present and fully committed to the task at hand—whether in wrestling or acting. “Now, when I’m on set, I’m there like I would be in a WWE arena, and I’m passionate about my work,” he shared in his recent remarks[1]. This lesson reflects how experiences outside the wrestling ring have shaped Cena’s approach to his expanding career in Hollywood, where he has since starred in numerous films, proving his versatility beyond sports entertainment.

Cena’s honesty about his early misgivings with The Marine underlines the growth he has undergone since that first step into acting. Despite the film’s modest critical reception—holding a 17% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—the movie helped launch Cena’s acting path and WWE Studios’ ambition to turn wrestling’s biggest stars into movie icons[2][3]. The Marine also developed into a franchise with five direct-to-video sequels, further affirming its place in WWE film history[3].

WWE Studios’ Role and The Marine’s Legacy

The Marine emerged as one of WWE Studios’ initial ventures into cinema, marking a bold move by WWE to diversify its brand and talent. Produced under Vince McMahon’s executive leadership, the film was distributed by 20th Century Fox and filmed in locations including Calgary, Alberta, and Los Angeles[3][5]. The plot revolves around a recently discharged U.S. Marine (played by Cena) rescuing his kidnapped wife from dangerous diamond thieves, blending high-octane action with Cena’s physical presence[3].

While critical reviews at the time were generally negative, the film was commercially successful, grossing $32 million against a $15 million budget. Cena’s action star potential gradually grew from this foundation. As his skills evolved, WWE and Hollywood audiences came to appreciate his action chops and charisma, transforming Cena into a dual-threat performer[4].

Sources close to Cena reveal that this learning curve—going from a distracted first-timer to a fully engaged professional—has strongly influenced how he approaches every project since. “He used The Marine as a personal benchmark. It taught him to respect the craft, be dedicated, and show up 100 percent no matter the role,” a WWE insider shared with Wrestling Inc.[1].

The Cultural Impact and Streaming Success

Though originally not warmly embraced by critics, The Marine found renewed attention decades later when it climbed streaming charts, even reaching the top 10 on Prime Video in the U.S. in mid-2025[2]. This resurgence speaks to Cena’s enduring popularity and the nostalgic appeal of WWE-themed action entertainment. The movie’s cult status among wrestling fans has helped keep WWE Studios’ film legacy alive, while continuing to open doors for Cena’s Hollywood career.

In conclusion, John Cena’s reflection on The Marine is more than a look back at a role—it’s a valuable lesson on focus, growth, and seizing opportunities, no matter how unexpected they may be. Cena’s journey from a distracted rookie actor to a passionate performer exemplifies the dedication that drives both wrestling champions and successful actors alike. As Cena himself said, “You can’t have a journey without the first step, and the first step is always the boldest”[2]. For Cena, that bold step was The Marine, launching a multifaceted career that blends athleticism, charisma, and now, cinematic accomplishment.