John Cena on Why He’s the ‘Lovable Loser’ of Superheroes Playing Peacemaker (Exclusive)

John Cena is used to playing a superhero on and off-screen.

For 22 years, the wrestler portrayed the “Superman” archetype in the WWE ring. He also earned that reputation in real life, too (he broke the Make-a-Wish Foundation’s record for most wishes granted to kids fighting critical illnesses with 650).

But he fully embraced his superhero status in 2021 by playing Peacemaker, an egotistical vigilante in the hit film Suicide Squad, which earned its own HBO Max spinoff series a year later.

“This has changed my life,” he says of playing the title character, who joins the black ops squad, A.R.G.U.S., to fight evil. “It’s a great show that’s more than just action. It’s a love story. It’s a workplace comedy.”

He and costars Danielle Brooks and Jennifer Holland “support each other and allow each other to take big swings,” he says. “It’s fun.”

He continues, “We know we’re the long shots. That scene at the end of season 1, where they send the real heroes to save the day and we’ve already saved the day and we get the heroes walk, but we have to walk past the heroes to get all the publicity and we’re like, ‘F— you, guys,’ that’s us. That’s the 11th Street Kids. We’re the long shots, the lovable losers.”

Holland, who plays Emilia Harcourt, an A.R.G.U.S. agent, says Cena sets an “incredible” tone: “He’s the first person on set, the last person to leave. He gives 100 percent of his effort 100 percent of the time. I don’t know if he’s capable of doing less than that.”

She adds that he’s “over-prepared” every time he arrives to work. “He’s learned all the lines, he knows all of the character arcs and everything that’s important in what we’re communicating in the story,” she shares. “He also thinks ahead of things he might be able to improv.”

Cena says he’s never had more fun with a cast (which also includes Freddie Stroma, Steve Agee, Frank Grillo, Sol Rodriguez, Tim Meadows) than he did at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26.

“I sent the ’11th Street Kids’ — yes, we have a [text] group — I sent them a message that I’ve never had more fun on any sort of press than yesterday,” he tells PEOPLE at his cover shoot the morning after Comic-Con. “And gosh, I just laughed and laughed. It’s because of the relationships we have. We got a good group.”

He credits the magic of the cast to creator James Gunn. “It starts at the top,” says Cena. “I love him. He’s such a good friend.”

Cena says Gunn gets “so frustrated” when fans joke about Cena’s wrestling catchphrase, “You Can’t See Me.”

“I love it because he knows I’m more than that. We spent time together,” Cena says.

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While some may find discomfort in wearing the skintight superhero suit, Cena embraces it. “The reason I think they chose the right guy [for the part] is because I don’t mind being known for just the uniform,” he says.

“My job is to entertain folks,” he adds. “And the lane I’ve chosen in which to entertain is throw on a uniform, assume a role, perform, go to the next uniform. As long as that work is good and as long as you’re entertained while I’m in the uniform, that’s my lane.”

While his wrestling career is winding down (he announced he’s retiring in 2025), he wants to keep wearing the Peacemaker suit for as long as he can. “If you don’t know anything about Peacemaker, please go watch it, so at least I can kick it again with my friends.”

Peacemaker season 2 premieres August 21 at 9 p.m. ET on HBO Max.