John Cena’s Next Act: Four Films After WWE Farewell

After his final bout on the December 13th broadcast of Saturday Night’s Main Event, John Cena has officially hung up his boots in the wrestling ring. His last match, a tough loss to Gunther, marked the end of an era for the 17-time world champ. With his wrestling career now behind him, Cena’s shifting gears to focus on his growing presence in the film industry.

Animated Antics and Legal Laughs

First up, there’s the much-talked-about hybrid animation, Coyote vs. Acme. This Warner Bros. project, once shelved, is now locked in for release on 28 August 2026. Punters at the 2025 San Diego Comic-Con got a sneak peek, and the buzz hasn’t died down since. The story follows Wile E. Coyote as he takes the Acme Corporation to court for dodgy products that never help him nab the Road Runner. Cena steps in as the lawyer defending Acme, going head-to-head with Will Forte’s character. It’s shaping up to be a proper laugh, with a bit of classic cartoon chaos thrown in.

Next, Cena’s leading the charge in Matchbox, an Apple Original film inspired by the iconic Mattel toy cars. Details about the plot are still under wraps, but with Sam Hargrave directing and a script from David Coggeshall and Jonathan Tropper, expectations are high. Cena’s set to take the main role, and fans are keen to see how the action unfolds.

Comedy, Family, and a Bit of Mayhem

Netflix is also getting in on the action with Little Brother, a comedy pairing Cena with Eric André. Directed by Matt Spicer, the film sees Cena as a successful real estate agent whose carefully managed life is thrown into disarray when his younger brother, played by André, turns up out of the blue. Michelle Monaghan has joined the cast, but the release date’s still a mystery as the project’s in development.

Another Netflix project on Cena’s slate is The Leading Man, an action-comedy where he stars alongside Kevin Hart. The story, based on a comic series by Jeremy Haun and B. Clay Moore, has Cena playing a self-absorbed film star who finds himself upstaged by Hart’s character, only to discover his co-star is actually a secret agent. Both Cena and Hart are producing the film, with Jon and Erich Hoeber handling the script. It’s set to deliver a mix of action and laughs, with a bit of tongue-in-cheek fun at the expense of Hollywood egos.

Behind the Scenes: Who’s Who

Here’s a quick look at the creative teams behind each project:

Film	Director	Production
Coyote vs. Acme	Dave Green	Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures Animation, Two Monkeys, A Goat and Another, Dead, Monkey
Matchbox	Sam Hargrave	Apple Studios, Skydance Media, Mattel Studios
Little Brother	Matt Spicer	Middle Child Pictures
The Leading Man	—	Hartbeat Productions, Ignition Productions, Netflix

With these four films lined up, Cena’s post-wrestling career is looking anything but quiet. Whether you’re into animated antics, action-packed adventures, or a bit of family comedy, there’s something on the way for every fan.

Saturday Night’s Main Event is streaming now on Peacock for those keen to revisit Cena’s last match.