The Internet Reacts to John Cena’s Wild New Movie Role

JOHN CENA HAS carved out an interesting and somewhat unique niche for himself in Hollywood. Like his fellow WWE stars turned actors Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Dave Bautista, he first transitioned with action-heavy roles, and continues to appear in blockbuster franchises like The Fast & The Furious.

But while Johnson continues to try and cement his leading man status with more action hero roles, and Bautista pushes more into serious acting in Denis Villeneuve and M. Night Shyamalan projects, Cena has shown himself to have some seriously impressive comedy chops, whether it be in his cameo in Barbie or leading Peacemaker role.

Cena’s talents as a clown are on full display in the trailer for his new movie Ricky Stanicky, a broad and bonkers comedy in which three best friends—Zac Efron, Jermaine Fowler and Andrew Santino—fabricate a close acquaintance who they then deploy as an excuse to get out of their family responsibilities and go party. When their lie is almost exposed, they decide to hire an actor to play their fictitious friend. Enter John Cena as down-on-his-luck celebrity impersonator Rock Hard Rod, who transforms into the eponymous Ricky, only to prove himself a chaotic wildcard who makes everybody’s lives even more complicated.

Prime Video just dropped the first trailer for Ricky Stanicky, giving viewers just a taste of Cena’s out-of-control character, and proving once again what a game performer he is. The teaser also finally provides valuable context for those pictures of the actor that went viral last year, when he was photographed on set in a plaid skirt, stockings and high heels: a brief shot here shows that it was part of what looks like a ‘Baby One More Time’-era Britney Spears costume. (Cena also rocks some Boy George and Alice Cooper drag in the movie.)

When the trailer hit social media, fans were excited to finally get an explanation for the schoolgirl look and to see Cena in another hilarious role—while Rock Hard Rod’s unhinged persona seemed to provoke a thirsty reaction in some.

Ricky Stanicky premieres on Prime Video on March 7.

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