Barbie saw a list of interesting cameos including one from John Cena. The former WWE wrestler took on the role of Ken Merman in Greta Gerwig’s visual magic. Cena was cast opposite another surprising cameo, singer Dua Lipa, who played the Barbie mermaid. The Fast X star agreed to the role after a chance encounter with Margot Robbie in a London restaurant.
Barbie featuring Robbie in the titular role has become a monumental success, grossing over $800M and breaking numerous records, solidifying its position as the highest-grossing movie of 2023. With the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes causing delays in other major releases this year, Barbie is likely to secure that title permanently.
Margot Robbie Invited John Cena To Join Barbie’s Cast
Margot Robbie and John Cena had already acted together in DC’s The Suicide Squad 2021. Their friendship had grown since then, and during a dinner meeting, Cena graciously picked up the bill. Robbie, who’s a huge fan of John Cena from his wrestling days, decided to reciprocate the favor and asked Cena on the spot if he would be interested in playing the merman character in Barbie.
At the time, Cena was shooting for the Fast X movie in London, and since their shooting locations were close, the Bumblebee actor readily agreed to take on the part. In an interview, the 46-year-old actor expressed his excitement for the role, saying:
“I think a lot of times people think, ‘Oh, he wouldn’t do that.’ I don’t think there are any small parts. A chance is a chance. An opportunity to show your skill or develop a new skill, that’s fantastic.”
The F9 actor also said that the visually stunning film would generate mixed opinions, but he welcomed the conversations it would spark, deeming it the greatest form of entertainment.
The Barbie Girl Was Obsessed With John Cena
Margot Robbie’s admiration for John Cena traces back to her youth when she followed all his WWE matches and even had a boyfriend who was crazy about the legendary wrestler. In a fun backstory shared on The Jimmy Kimmel Show, she revealed:
“I watched WWE when I was growing up. As a late teen, early twenties, I had a boyfriend who was obsessed with John Cena. So obsessed that he kept a cardboard cutout of the wrestler in his room. So I slept in a room for two years with a life-sized cardboard cutout of John Cena.”
Prior to the film’s release, Warner Bros teased The Wall actor’s appearance through behind-the-scenes footage. Barbie faced severe backlash for allegedly taking a hyper-feminist stance, but the movie impressed audiences with its grandeur and scale, leaving both admirers as well as haters in awe.
Source: Looper
