James Gunn Revealed The Actor He Initially Offered Peacemaker To, Why They Said No And What Led Him To Cast John Cena

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James Gunn often collaborates with people he’s friendly with, just as many directors do. Notably, performers such as Nathan Fillion and Michael Rooker frequently appear in Gunn’s productions. Many actors who have previously worked with Gunn have voiced their desire to team up with him once more.

It’s interesting to note that one star from the “Guardians of the Galaxy” series might have fit the role that James Gunn originally envisioned for Peacemaker in “The Suicide Squad”. Surprisingly, it wasn’t John Cena, but another prominent WWE figure who was his intended choice.

Dave Bautista Was Almost Peacemaker

On “The Howard Stern Show,” filmmaker James Gunn revealed that he initially crafted the Peacemaker role in “The Suicide Squad” with his previous Drax, Dave Bautista, in mind. However, given Bautista’s high demand due to the success of the “Guardians” films, the actor was presented with a more appealing opportunity elsewhere. Gunn explained, “…Bautista had to take a better offer on the table.

Dave Bautista, a dear friend of mine, is known for his portrayal of Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy. I penned the character Peacemaker specifically for him. However, we couldn’t compete with other movie offers and a limited budget, so he had to pursue projects that offered better financial rewards.

In 2021, Bautista openly discussed his decision-making process. He disclosed that he was given a part in “The Suicide Squad,” but he didn’t specify the role. However, he opted to star in Zack Snyder’s “Army of the Dead” on Netflix instead of Gunn’s superhero film. Bautista shared his fascination with the script and his eagerness to collaborate with Snyder as the main factors behind his choice, although the financial aspect likely played a role as well.

An Amy Schumer Comedy Led James Gunn To John Cena

In that scenario, if a professional wrestler I admire declines my action movie offer, it seems logical to explore other options. As a fan of Amy Schumer’s comedy film “Trainwreck,” I was particularly impressed with John Cena’s standout performance. This sparked our collaboration, and the outcome has been nothing short of history-making. Gunn further added that…

From the moment I saw John in Trainwreck, I was thoroughly entertained. His humor in that film left such an impression on me that I had the chance to meet him, and almost instantly, we formed a bond. Since then, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with him more than any other actor. This is due to my involvement in two seasons of Peacemaker, Suicide Squad, and we are looking forward to working together on future projects as well.

It’s clear that the role of the “Peacemaker” has been a hit for Cena, not only landing him a movie part but also securing two seasons of television. The second season is currently airing on the 2025 TV schedule, available to those who subscribe to HBO Max. Gunn and Cena have proven to be a dynamic duo, with Gunn praising Cena as the best improv actor he’s ever collaborated with.

It seems clear that they’ll collaborate more often, as Gunn mentions a future partnership between Cena and himself. Rest assured, there’s no need for concern about Dave Bautista; he appears to be securing roles that suit his preferences, such as the romantic comedy that had previously evaded him.

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2025-09-11 18:41