WWE News: John Cena rumoured to be front runner for major DC Comics adaptation

What’s the story?

According to "That Hashtag Show" podcast, movie website "We Got This Covered" is reporting that alongside Joshua Sasse, Cena is in contention for the lead role in "Shazam!" from DC Comics.

In case you didn’t know…

Captain Marvel, also known as Shazam, is the alter ego of Billy Batson and a mainstay of the DC Comics Universe.

He is DC's parallel to Superman and shares many of the same abilities, manifesting whenever Batson invokes the "six immortal elders" -- Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury.

The heart of the matter

The film -- which is expected to be markedly lighter in tone than other films set to emerge from the DC Universe in the coming 18 months -- is currently in pre-production, having had its schedule pushed back several times.

The main cast is expected to be announced shortly, with filming to begin early next year with a view to a release in spring 2019.

Should Cena land the main role of "Shazam!", it sets up a potentially mouth-watering silver screen clash with The Rock, who has been cast in the role of antagonist Black Adam in his own film, which will also be set in the DC Extended Universe.

What’s next?

In the short term for Cena, he will be locking horns with Roman Reigns at WWE's No Mercy event later this month, in a feud that looks set to run several months.

Acting-wise, he voices the main character in the animated film "Ferdinand" alongside the likes of David Tennant, as well as live action in the Transformers spin-off "Bumblebee" in an as yet unnamed role.

Author’s take

Much like in wrestling, Cena's on-screen roles show that as well as being a shoe-in for anything involving physicality, he has a knack for comedy and knows the value of a good one-liner.

Cena's acting career and transition from WWE to Hollywood is most definitely on the ascent. Apart from "Ferdinand" and "Bumblebee" he has worked alongside Amy Schumer on her film "Trainwreck".

Will his career explode in a similar fashion to The Rock, who was recently named the second highest paid actor in Hollywood in 2017 having topped the same list last year? Only time will tell, but if "Shazam!" is a success, having top billing will go a long way to propelling WWE's franchise player into "Leading Man" category.