As a gamer with years of experience under my belt, I must say John Cena’s latest action-comedy “Jackpot!” has piqued my interest like a well-timed critical hit in a role-playing game (RPG). The idea of a Grand Lottery that allows lottery losers to kill the winner is as intriguing as a high-stakes quest in an epic fantasy game, and I can’t help but see parallels between the movie’s premise and my late-night gaming sessions.
In the making of the fresh action comedy “Jackpot!“, John Cena utilized his WWE expertise, teaching his co-star Awkwafina the art of a convincing punch, which was crucial for a scene where she was required to simulate breaking his nose.
As a fan myself who’s experienced a real-life broken nose, I must say it was truly amazing to work with a prosthetic one in this movie. The build-up leading up to breaking it was entertaining, and when Awkwafina finally delivered the blow and we played out the joke, it looked fantastic on screen and fits perfectly within the film’s narrative. During the premiere, I told her to go all out, and she certainly did not disappoint!
In this movie, directed by Paul Feig, a brand new Lottery system has been set up in California, where people who have lost the lottery are given the chance to legally murder the jackpot winner before sunset and claim the massive winnings for themselves. Awkwafina plays the role of the jackpot winner on the run, with Cena assisting her.
Discovering the chemistry between us in this unexpected duo was truly fascinating. As she portrayed an anxious character lost in chaos, I got to embody a calm, reassuring voice guiding her through it all. I believe our strengths lie in these roles, so we simply had to be ourselves, share some humor, and enjoy the fun that came with it.
Feig shared that he believed the pair would mesh well, especially since he had long admired Cena. When they first spoke, Cena said, “Don’t worry about making me look cool.” This sentiment struck a chord with Feig because it was exactly what he wanted from his comedy actors, and it’s not always certain that action stars will be open to this. However, Cena was more than willing to participate in everything.
Participating in various projects now includes making an appearance in season three of The Bear, where Cena portrayed Carmy’s (Jeremy Allen White) cousin Sammy Fak. He expressed his excitement to The Hollywood Reporter, stating that creator Christopher Storer contacted his team about joining the cast, and “I couldn’t believe it! It was a long-cherished dream.”
Speaking from the heart, I can’t help but express my profound admiration for the cast and crew behind this production. Their talent has not only captivated me but also touched my life in ways words often fail to convey. My wife and I are avid fans, and it was a privilege to share our appreciation with them. It’s crucial to acknowledge how their work impacts us, as we so often say, “I love your stuff,” but seldom do we express, “Your work has profoundly influenced my life.” That show has become more than entertainment for us; it’s an experience that will stay etched in our memories.
“As a gamer, I’ve got to say that the movie Jackpot!, featuring Simu Liu, has been likened to a humorous take on action flicks like The Purge or John Wick. However, director Feig clarified that those movies don’t exactly paint humanity in a positive light. Instead, he aimed for a more optimistic tone, so while this film has a gritty underbelly, it’s the whole lottery premise – if you’re participating, you’re essentially endorsing it. But as the story unfolds, you realize that most people aren’t actually on board with the lottery and are actually rooting for Awkwafina to make it to the finish line. Feig drew inspiration from wanting this to be a Jackie Chan-style movie – he’s my favorite modern comedic filmmaker, but I also love the Pink Panther films and similar physical comedy.”
Jackpot! hits theaters on Thursday.
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2024-08-14 21:55