John Cena Says 'Fantastic Talent' Awkwafina 'Let Her Action Muscles Flex' in New MovieJackpot!(Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

John Cenais honored to share the stage withAwkwafinain their new movieJackpot!

The wrestler-turned-actor, 47, told PEOPLE exclusively at the movie’s premiere in Los Angeles on Tuesday, Aug. 13, that he’s “so glad” Awkwafina, 36, “chose me to be in this picture with her and that it all worked out.”

“She’s a fantastic talent,” he praised. “I don’t like labeling anybody to one lane because I think we’re all capable of a bit more than that. I’m glad she let her action muscles flex on this one.”

“The catch: kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot,” it shares.

John Cena as Noel and Awkwafina as Katie in ‘Jackpot!'.Daniel McFadden/AMAZON MGM STUDIOS

Daniel McFadden/AMAZON MGM STUDIOS

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The synopsis continues, “Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, [Katie] reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize.”

“However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs,” it concludes.

From L: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Paul Feig and John Cena at the premiere ofJackpot!in Los Angeles on Aug. 13, 2024.Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Alberto Rodriguez/Variety via Getty

Speaking with PEOPLE at the premiere, Awkwafina (real name Nora Lum) said ofJackpot!, “It being in 2030, it being in Hollywood and it being labeled as kind of dystopic is very interesting to me.”

“I think it basically depicts a world in which people are just a little bit more greedy than they already are, you know what I mean?” she explained. “And kind of a lawless aspect.”

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Of her action sequences, the actress admitted, “I did more than I thought I was going to.”

“But eventually it feels — because when you trust [everyone on] your team andeveryone around you— it’s kind of like being at Six Flags or something. It’s fun,” Awkwafina said.

And her appreciation for working with Cena mirrors his own for her.

“I loved everything about it,” she told PEOPLE. “He’s such a cool guy. He’s so smart, and he was really a perfect scene partner for an action movie because he’s all about safety. And yeah, he’s a good guy all around.”

Jackpot!is streaming Thursday, Aug. 15, on Prime Video.

source: people.com