James Gunn, writer and director of The Suicide Squad, recently disclosed that John Cena was not his original pick to play Peacemaker. Gunn revealed during an interview on The Howard Stern Show that he first envisioned the character for Dave Bautista, known for his role as Drax in Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy films. This early casting idea stemmed from Gunn’s admiration for Bautista’s work and the creative fit he saw for Peacemaker.
Why Dave Bautista Did Not Take the Part
Although the role was written specifically with Bautista in mind, Gunn explained that the actor turned down the offer due to financial reasons. Gunn said,
“I wrote the character of Peacemaker for him, and we offered him the role, but it was offered two movies, and we weren’t paying him a lot, so he had to go where the money was,”
clarifying the practical constraints behind Bautista’s decision.
John Cena’s Rise to the Role and Partnership with Gunn
Despite Bautista’s decline, Gunn had been a longtime admirer of John Cena, particularly impressed by his comedic performance in the film Trainwreck. Gunn shared,
“I have always been a fan of John [Cena] since Trainwreck especially, I thought he was so so funny in that movie.”
Their meeting quickly developed into a strong professional and personal relationship. Gunn noted,
“I met with him, we talked, we became instant, instant friends, and since then, you know, I’ve worked with him more than any other actor because I’ve done two seasons of Peacemaker, Suicide Squad, and you know we’re going to be doing more together. So, he’s a fantastic guy, a fantastic actor. Really, I think I love the Peacemaker show more than anything else I’ve ever done.”
Peacemaker’s Place in the DC Universe and What’s Next
Since The Suicide Squad’s release over four years ago, John Cena has become synonymous with the Peacemaker character, earning praise from both fans and critics. Unlike many characters from the now-concluded DC Extended Universe, Peacemaker has remained a key figure, transitioning prominently into the new DC Universe. Gunn’s remarks suggest that the DC Studios leadership has a clear plan for the character’s ongoing role within the franchise. With new episodes of Peacemaker Season 2 streaming weekly on HBO Max through October 9, the character’s future remains highly anticipated.
“I love the @DCpeacemaker show more than anything else I’ve ever done.”
@JamesGunn chats about the returning @HBOMax series and shares who was originally supposed to play the lead superhero before John Cena put on the chrome helmet.
—Stern Show Twitter
