UPDATE:Variety’s Justin Kroll isnow reportingthat John Cena is up for the role of Peacemaker, the part originally offered to Dave Bautista. This is clearly horrible news, as it means John Cena will not—I repeat,not—be playing King Shark. Original story below:
Dave Bautistaisn’t the only grappler-turned-actor being considered forJames Gunn’sSuicide Squadsequel. Variety reports that Hollywoods widest humanJohn Cenais being eyed for a role in the Warner Bros. comic book team-up flick.
No word on who Cena would be playing—please be King Shark, please be King Shark, please be King Shark—but it’s yet another tasty bit of info from what is quickly shaping up to be WB’s most intriguing project coming down the pipeline. Gunn came aboard the project after being ousted by Disney from Marvel’sGuardians of the Galaxyfranchise. (The filmmaker has since been rehired to write and directGuardians of the Galaxy 3.) Since then, Warner Bros. has been discussing the film as less of a sequel toDavid Ayer’s much-maligned 2016 movie and more of a total reboot of the franchise.
Idris Elbawas cast in the film—which may or may not be officially titledThe Suicide Squad—back in March. Initial reports had the actor replacing Will Smith as Deadshot, but it’s since come to light that Elba will be playing anentirely new character.Margot Robbieis expected to reprise the role of Harley Quinn, as isJai Courtneyas Captain Boomerang andViola Davisas Amanda Waller. Collidergot the scoopon a few other new DC characters Gunn could be playing around with, including odd-ball names like Ratcatcher, Polka-Dot Man, and Peacemaker. (And King Shark! John Cena as King Shark!)
Cena has been putting together a pretty eclectic resume since stepping mostly away from the wrestling ring. Last summer saw him take on a key role in theTransformersspin-off Bumblebee and show off some pretty impressive comedic chopsKay Cannon’sBlockers.The Suicide Squadwould be Cena first major foray into the comic book genre, which is a move that honestly seemed pretty inevitable.
