From director Doug Liman, the psychological thriller The Wall is a deadly game of cat-and-mouse that follows two soldiers (played with expert skill by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and John Cena) who are pinned down by an Iraqi sniper. Their fight becomes a battle of will and wit, and as they learn more about each other, all that stands between them is a crumbling wall that can only last so long.
At the film’s press day, Collider sat down with WWE superstar John Cena to talk about how this script had him riveted and on the edge of his seat, the physical demands of this role, the awesome experience he had with director Doug Liman, why Aaron Taylor-Johnson is a stud, learning from everyone he works with, and how it’s easy to keep a good work ethic when you’re doing something you enjoy. He also talked about voicing the title character for the upcoming animated feature Ferdinand, returning for Daddy’s Home 2, and why The Pact appealed to him.
Collider: Congrats on being honored with the Action Star of the Year award from CinemaCon, for your work on this film! How did this come your way, and could you ever have imagined, when you started out on the journey with this, that that would be the result?
JOHN CENA: No. It started out with me just reading the script and liking it. It wasn’t one of those things where it was, “Hey, these people are interested.” A good friend of mine, who I also do a lot of business with, said, “I want you to read this. I just read it, and it was awesome.” He was right. I was like, “Man, I’ve gotta do this!” A lot of times, I’ll have that reaction to certain material, and then things won’t happen. It’s not without rejection. This was one of those rare cases where it did. It started out with being, “Okay, you’re gonna do it.” And then, every step of the way, as it got more and more real, it got better and better.
What were the things that really stood out for you, when you first read the script?
CENA: The fact that it’s two characters, and I was riveted and on the edge of my seat, reading it. When I put it down, I was like, “Yeah, this could work! This is gonna be awesome!” I read it and knew that I could do it. It wasn’t too far out of my limited skill set, and I wanted to be a part of it. The fact that it was pretty much on one set with two people didn’t once scare me aware. I thought it was a great story, no matter what.
What were the demands you put on yourself for this role, and what did your director expect of you?
CENA: The only thing that they expected, which is an environment that I thrive in, is that you show up to work. There was no downtime, just because of the amount of time they had to shoot. But we knew, early on, that we were making the movie, so we had a lot of prep. I loved the story, so I went back and read it a bunch of times. Besides the fact that it was really hot and we were under a bit of a ticking clock, it was a fun time. It’s weird to say that just sitting out in the dirt in the desert was a fun time, but it really was. It wasn’t like it was tearing the heart out of me. It was more like, “Man, I get to do this. I can’t believe it!”
How long did you have to lay on the ground in the heat?
CENA: It was days. I was just a fried egg, out there. But, it was all awesome and it really shows on screen. Before I even got involved in the process, as I do with all of these projects now, and I’m learning so much with everyone that I work with, I just put myself in their hands and have tremendous faith and trust that they want to be in a good movie. Over the course of my career, being in the live and television entertainment aspect and meeting a lot of people, I can judge folks, whether they’re serious about something or whether they’re calling it in, pretty quickly. This team was very serious about this, and that’s awesome. You’re gonna get helped, if you’re lacking it, in any way, because everybody’s objective is to make a good picture.
How did you find the experience of working with Doug Liman?
CENA: He was awesome! Never once was it like, “We’re gonna run out of time and I need more money.” It was like, “This is what I’m doing. I see the movie in my head. Let’s just go do it!” He was awesome! He was just brilliant.
What was it like to work with Aaron Taylor-Johnson?
CENA: Aaron is a stud, and I mean that in every sense of the word. In our business, and it’s used in entertainment, as well, we talk about the “it factor.” He’s a professional. He knew the script backwards and forwards. He did his homework, in developing the character. He knew he was the main focus, a lot of the time. You feel his pain. I was there filming all this stuff with him, but when you see it on the big script, you can’t help either inch on your seat or go back. He’s a stud. Without that sort of dedication, you don’t get the same product because the movie literally rides on his shoulders. If, at all, he was reserved about any of it, it would have sunk the ship. It just goes to show how much he invested in all of it. He just carries the whole damn thing.
When you see something like that, does it make you want to try your hand at carrying a movie, or does it make you appreciate ensemble acting even more?
CENA: No, not at all. When you watch somebody like that, that’s what you should aspire to be. Seeing his dedication, you have to go in on it and not be afraid. I learn from everybody I work with, and you learn, every single day. I can learn from anyone. Being fortunate enough to perform in front of a changing live audience, every night, you learn from everybody. Everyone has an opinion and they’ll let you know. It was really cool to be put on the inside track, pretty early on in this process because I got to see what it’s like to do batting practice with a pro team or playing a round of gold with a pro golfer. You get a look into their life, and it’s awesome. I certainly did the best I could to prepare, but I also didn’t walk around with a sense of false confidence. Every second, I ask for advice and opinion. Not only did Aaron have the movie on his shoulders, but he was also essentially a coach and a confidante, and the same with Doug. They were selfless in saying, “We just wanna make a good picture. We’ll help the kid out. It will be all right.” It was great.
Do you think that kind of work ethic comes from achieving and maintaining a successful career in something like WWE, or did you have it before then? Is that something that’s always been really important to you?
CENA: I don’t know if I would have that sort of drive, if I was involved with something that I didn’t enjoy. I’ve been very fortunate in life, early on, with sports, and then with WWE, and now with all aspects of entertainment, to gravitate towards things that I think are really cool. When you think something is cool already, it’s okay to put in an honest day’s work. Everybody always bitches, on the other side, about promotion. I don’t mind. I could waste the batteries on your recorder, talking about the movie, and then the next person comes in and I’ll do the same. It shows because I really dig the movie. It’s not just that I do all of these interviews because that’s what we do. I believe in the product, so it’s okay to promote.
As a fan of animated movies, I have to admit that I’m very excited about Ferdinand!
CENA: Oh, me too!
How cool is it to get to bring a character like that to life? Is that something you’d been wanting to do?
CENA: As with everything, it’s not your choice. Being a part of animation is special, but that particular story and the message I try to consciously send through all social platforms and on television, with my character in WWE, about being who you are and not being afraid to be different, that movie couldn’t have come at a better time. Man, was I all in! I had to bend some time and there were some long days, but it was so well worth it. I’m so looking forward to not only this spring with The Wall, but a very different role this Christmas. Ferdinand is going to be a really fun ride, too, and send an awesome message.
You’ve also got a couple of comedies, with Daddy’s Home 2 and The Pact.
CENA: Yeah. Once again, I’m just surrounded by awesome funny folks and really creative people. I’m learning, every day. There’s not a day that I step on set that I don’t have fun. It’s a pretty good deal.
When you did Daddy’s Home, did you know there could be a chance for that character to return for a sequel?
CENA: I’ve gotta give props to Mark Wahlberg. I was on set for a day, and I was just the button of the movie. None of those guys even needed to talk to me, but I got to spend 90 minutes with Mark and talked about life, business, etc. He said, “You know, if this thing hits, we’ll get a sequel and have a part for you.” I know that can be said, but sure enough, there is a sequel and the sequel is stacked and loaded. When you see the movie, they could have done it without me, but they put me in it, and that means the world. That’s one of the first things I told him, when we started filming. I said, “Man, you said that and you kept your word, and that’s very rare.” I’m very thankful. That was a really cool thing.
What attracted you to The Pact (about three fathers who try to stop their daughters from having sex on prom night)?
CENA: I couldn’t put it down. You get to dive into the story of three different types of parents, going through experiences that we’ve all been through and can all relate to, and three different types of teenagers who all find their own conclusions to the story. When people see that movie, they’re going to be able to relate to so many situations. That was another one that I read and could see myself doing it. Not only are funny people involved with it, but it tackles a really tough subject and makes light of it. We can have this conversation, but laugh, at the same time. I think generations can come together and watch it and enjoy it, and they can all take something away from it. It’s not just two hours of telling jokes. There’s a really cool fiber to it, which is fun.
As you do more comedy, drama, action, and now voice-over work, do you feel like you’ve found your lane, or are you still figuring out what your strengths are?
CENA: I still have no idea what I’m doing! In WWE, because it’s been a massive chunk of my life, so many guys are successful for brief periods of time, and then they fade away. There are very few that can maintain relevance. I just think that comes to investing in consistently telling a good story, and you have to tell a bunch of different stories. Over the course of 15 years, I’ve learned, in a live audience setting, how to tell a bunch of different stories. It’s cool to now be able to be like, “Wow, this is where I’m the butt of all the jokes. I have to be really humbled and humiliated here.” “This is where triumphantly I win the day.” “Okay, this is a mix of all those things.” I’ve been able to do that already, so I don’t necessarily know what I want to do. I know if I read something and I can’t do it. That’s where I’m at, but who knows? I could get something that seems way off the wall, but I’ll do it, if I think I can do it.
The Wall opens in theaters on May 12th.