James Gunn talks about how he considers Peacemaker star John Cena to be a an actor not a wrestler actor

Most people knew Peacemaker's leading actor John Cena as a wrestler before he became an actor as well. Cena has been a wrestler since 1999 and has won the WWE Championship seventeen times. Before Peacemaker, he also starred in F9, The Suicide Squad, Vacation Friends, and Bumblebee, among other films and shows. But despite a diverse filmography, John Cena is often known as a wrestler-actor.

Cena had already established himself as an actor, but his performance in Peacemaker Season 2's 'Ignorance is Chris' has received significant acclaim. Creator and showrunner of the show, James Gunn, however, doesn't agree with the public opinion that John Cena is a "wrestler-actor." Gunn considers him a professional actor rather than labeling him a former wrestler.

Peacemaker creator James Gunn doesn't think it is right to say John Cena is a wrestler actor

Wrestlers who transition into acting are often still identified primarily by their wrestling background, even after appearing in multiple films and shows. It is a common perception because viewers were used to seeing them as wrestlers first and as actors second. But for someone like James Gunn, who has spent considerable time with John Cena and witnessed him delivering impactful scenes, Cena is not a wrestler who has become an actor.

When Gunn spoke to GQ about Cena and Jennifer Holland's emotional scene in Ignorance is Chris, he first described the scene and how vulnerable both characters were. He said,

"Yeah, yeah. He's like, "Oh, this is the greatest world. Everybody loves me." And he's so narcissistic in that respect, but he's also grown in his personal relationships to such a degree where he's able to say to Harcourt, “I love you.” And then in that moment where she says, "I'm a fucking nightmare," and he goes, "I know I still love you." He's able to sit with that emotion in a way that is extremely emotionally intelligent, and that's a huge, huge change for the character from season one."

Gunn then pointed out that, like Chris, John Cena has also changed. His capability as an actor has increased between Peacemaker Season 1 and 2, and it is evident in his performance in Season 2. Cena has convincingly shown Chris's pain, helplessness, and moments of joy upon discovering an alternate dimension, demonstrating his acting range.

Gunn points out that very reason as to why he doesn't think of Cena as a wrestler who is now an actor. Gunn said,

"And I think one of the interesting things, I think John has changed in many of the same ways, and so his ability to play this character, his own transformation as a human being has matched his ability to play this character and seeing his presence in that scene. And then for people to even talk about John Cena as a wrestler turned actor—you go, "Fuck that. That's not what he is. He's an actor. He's an actor." I mean every actor did something before they were acting, and that just happens to be the job he had before this. Because he is fantastic."

In the latest Peacemaker episode, Cena portrayed one of Chris Smith’s most vulnerable moments, expressing his feelings to Emilia and hoping for a reciprocated response. For Emilia, it is unusual that Chris's decision to remain in the alternate dimension depends on her feelings. For Chris, however, life on his own Earth feels meaningless until her love is returned.

Two more episodes of Peacemaker Season 2 are left, and they will hopefully show us whether Emilia chooses Chris or not. That decision of hers will also determine which dimension Chris chooses to live in. The next two episodes will be released on October 2 and October 9, 2025.

Peacemaker is streaming on HBO Max.

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