John Cena Was Paid 2.5X Less Than Both Lead Stars Combined in 2021 James Gunn Movie

John Cena Was Paid 2.5X Less Than Both Lead Stars Combined in 2021 James Gunn Movie
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The release of James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad, based on characters from DC Comics, caused quite a stir in 2021. The film’s action plot and stellar acting from a cast that included Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, and John Cena won it critical acclaim.

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But new reports have revealed a disheartening revelation about the pay gap between cast members. It has come to light that despite his significant contributions to the film, Cena was paid much less than the two main actors.

John Cena’s Rising Star Power

Suicide Squad
The Suicide Squad

Margot Robbie as Harleen Quinzel, Idris Elba as Robert DuBois, and John Cena as Christopher Smith were just a few of the standouts in the ensemble cast of The Suicide Squad. While Robbie reportedly earned $10 million and Elba earned $8 million for their roles, Cena only made $7 million.

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This disparity has sparked debate and questioned the Hollywood entertainment industry’s dedication to pay equity. John Cena’s massive salary disparity from his co-stars has spotlighted the problem of racial and gendered pay gaps in Hollywood.

It’s disappointing to see such disparities in pay for actors who have similar screen time and contribute equally to a film’s success, even though salary negotiations in Hollywood are complex and involve multiple factors like an actor’s track record, marketability, and perceived value.

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As demonstrated by this incident, salary negotiations in the industry could benefit from more openness and fairness. Some believe all actors should be paid the same rate for equivalent work, regardless of their identity or origin.

Read More: Samuel L Jackson Admits He Hates One Thing About His MCU Role ‘Nick Fury’

John Cena’s Stardom Did Not Get Him A Good Pay Check

Minimizing John Cena’s meteoric rise in show business would be foolish. Cena has established himself as a formidable figure through his wrestling career and foray into the Hollywood entertainment industry.

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He has a devoted fan base and widespread critical acclaim thanks to his professionalism, adaptability, and charisma on screen. Cena’s rising star status and popularity should be considered in salary negotiations.

Surprisingly, Cena makes so much less than his co-stars, given his rising popularity and the buzz surrounding his role as Peacemaker in The Suicide Squad. Cena should be recognized and compensated fairly for his film work, including his performance and the publicity he brings to the production.

Also Read: “I’m trying not to squint the whole time”: Amanda Seyfried Was Miserable While Working in Meryl Streep’s $589 Million Hit Movie

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John Cena reportedly earned only a quarter of what Margot Robbie and Idris Elba did for their roles in The Suicide Squad, highlighting the industry-wide pay disparity problem. This discrepancy is a sobering reminder that we have a long way to go before all actors are paid fairly and given equal opportunities.

As people continue to watch The Suicide Squad and other movies, we should applaud the efforts of all actors and back efforts to make the film industry more equitable so that everyone can make a living wage.

The DC actor will next be seen in the Barbie movie along with her The Suicide Squad co-star Margot Robbie. The movie is set to release on July 21, 2023.

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You can stream The Suicide Squad on Amazon Prime Video.

Source: Showbiz Galore

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Mabel Andrady

Written by Mabel Andrady

Articles Published: 694

Mabel, aka MJ, is a FandomWire Sr. Writer, pop-culture fanatic, and an MA in Health Demography holder. When she's not indulging in her guilty pleasure of penning everything Hollywood, Marvel & DC, she writes academic essays on COVID-19 and HIV/AIDS. With 2500+ articles published online, she brings a unique twist to entertainment writing. A jack-of-all-trades, MJ enjoys movies, writes/acts in plays, writes music, and dreams of being a successful actress. She offers a fresh perspective, making her writing a must-read for those seeking knowledge and entertainment.