John Cena usually wants to know exactly what he’s getting into before signing onto a movie, but Matchbox was apparently a very different situation. The WWE legend revealed that he agreed to join the Apple project without even having a script in front of him.
During an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Cena explained that committing to a movie that early isn’t normally how he operates. He usually wants a strong producer, a passionate director and a story he can believe in before saying yes. Fallon brought up the fact that Cena joined Matchbox before there was a script, prompting Cena to explain exactly why he took the gamble.
“Having a script, which is not my norm usually. It’s gotta be great producer, passionate director, great story. We had a great producer and a passionate director. Skydance, Apple, Mattel Partners. I did Barbie. I saw what Mattel does with their IP.”
Cena’s previous experience with Mattel through Barbie also helped. When Fallon praised Cena’s role in the blockbuster movie, Cena quickly downplayed just how much screen time he actually had.
“It’s a small, small role.”
What really helped seal the deal was director Sam Hargrave. Cena already knew Hargrave’s reputation as an action filmmaker, so even without a completed story, he felt confident that the movie would deliver when it came to action.
“Sam Hargrave, excellent action director. So I knew at least, you know, the action was gonna be spectacular.”
That was enough for Cena to roll the dice and put some serious faith in everyone involved.
“So right there I’m like, you know what? I’ll trust the process and hope they bring a good story.”
That trust eventually paid off for Cena, who went on to praise the film’s use of Matchbox cars as a connection to childhood rather than simply treating the project like a giant toy commercial. He recalled playing with Matchbox cars with his brothers and said the nostalgia behind those memories is what makes the story work.
Cena has spent years balancing WWE appearances with an increasingly packed Hollywood career, but signing onto a major movie without even seeing the script shows just how much faith he had in the team behind Matchbox. That’s a big leap for someone who admits this isn’t normally how he chooses his projects.
What do you think about John Cena signing onto Matchbox without seeing a script first? Was trusting the people behind the movie enough, or would you want to see the story before committing? Let us know what you think in the comments.
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