John Cena talks about ‘The Reunion’ Movie

- John Cena stars in WWE Studios’ new action adventure movie, The Reunion, in select theaters for a special limited engagement Friday. The Superstar plays Sam Cleary, a cop who joins his two estranged brothers as bail bondsman who embark on a dangerous, exciting adventure through Mexico.

The Reunion focuses on the importance of family. Cena said the tight-knit cast, including Amy Smart, Ethan Embry, Boyd Holbrook and Michael Rispoli, bonded while filming his fourth WWE Studios film.

“It was very cool. Three of us got to be brothers who didn’t like each other, so it was easy. We just busted each other’s chops the whole time we filmed,” Cena told WWE.com. “When you do that, and you can stand the sarcasm, you actually become good friends out of the deal.”

While Cena cites Embry – who starred in Showtime’s Brotherhood – as the most energetic cast member, he particularly enjoyed working with Smart.

Amy was really cool, very down-to-earth. Came on set in the middle of the shoot and kind of fit right in,” he said of the accomplished actress, who has starred in The Butterfly Effect, Road Trip, Varsity Blues and Starship Troopers.

“I wish she was there longer, she was very cool.”

The Reunion was filmed on location in central New Mexico where the cast shot scenes in picturesque mountains, canyons and forests surrounding Albuquerque.

“It was toward the turning of the seasons. … It is the desert. It was kind of hot during the day, but extremely cold at night,” Cena explained. “New Mexico is a beautiful place with a bunch of different terrain.”

But filming wasn’t always any easy task for the WWE Superstar. Cena performed his own stunts and had to sprint and leap off a 60-foot cliff during an intense action scene.

“I didn’t want to do it. I’m deathly afraid of heights,” he admitted. “There’s a scene involving heights and helicopters. I hated it. I did it. Absolutely, I did it, but hated it.”

The exciting moment only adds to the film’s diverse plot. The Reunion is another WWE Studios flick Cena is sure the WWE Universe will enjoy.

“It’s going to be a hell of a ride. They’re really going to enjoy it. Like Legendary was a very story-based movie, this is a very story-based movie but it also has really good action,” Cena explained.

“So just when you think the movie may be too involved from the character-development standpoint, it’s going to blow up on you. It’s a really good ride, it’s a really good story and it sends a good family message.”