John Cena isn’t channeling any former presidents in Heads of State, and that’s exactly how he wanted it.
In the new action comedy directed by Ilya Naishuller, Cena plays fictional U.S. President Will Derringer, a far-from-traditional leader who’s more action hero than politician.
“I didn’t model the character on any actual president,” Cena explained in an interview with Extra. “When you hear ‘President of the United States,’ you already have your own image in your head. But this character’s traits, aloof, overly positive, super stubborn, aggressive, I just built him from those ideas.”
Cena said much of the development came from trusting the director’s vision. “If the director says, ‘Scrap all your ideas, try it like this,’ you have to be flexible. If you’re coachable, you can help bring out the best version of the movie.”
The film pairs Cena’s President Derringer with Idris Elba’s character, UK Prime Minister Sam Clarke, a former SAS commando. The two rivals are forced to team up after being targeted by global threats. The movie doesn’t just deliver action, it leans into wild buddy-comedy territory with some political satire thrown in for good measure. It also stars Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Jack Quaid, and Paddy Considine, rounding out a strong ensemble cast.
Cena, who’s long made the jump from WWE ring to Hollywood, credits his wrestling days with helping him understand how to create a strong character on-screen. “In WWE, you’ve got seconds to define yourself. When the music hits, people should instantly get who you are. Same goes for movies.”
That mindset helped him nail the vibe for Will Derringer, a role that doesn’t rely on copying famous leaders but instead thrives on exaggerated traits and an out-of-the-box approach.
As for what kind of roles he’s chasing next? He’s not putting pressure on himself to plan too far ahead. “I don’t think about what I want to play next. I just try to stay open to good opportunities, things that challenge me without being completely out of reach.”
John Cena’s take on Heads of State shows off the balance between character, comedy, and chaos, while proving once again that he’s carved out his own lane in Hollywood. Whether or not the film’s president reminds you of anyone real, that’s totally beside the point. Cena’s version is all his own, and that’s what makes it work.
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John Cena’s take on a fictional, action-hero president sounds like a fun twist on political roles—refreshing to see a character built from bold traits rather than real-life figures. Heads of State looks like a wild ride with comedy, chaos, and a strong cast to match!