Comedy starring John Cena premieres in Miami

By Nicole Shaker and Alex Hernández •

John Cena, Zac Efron and William H. Macy co-star in the new comedy movie “Ricky Stanicky”, directed by Peter Farrelly, known for movies like “There’s Something About Mary” and “Dumb and Dumber.” Cena attended a red carpet event on Feb. 21 at Regal South Beach for the premier, where attendees got a first look at the film before its March 7 release on Amazon Prime.

“Peter Farrelly was trying to make this movie for 15 years. He had a lot of other people in mind besides me, but in a serendipitous moment, it found me,” Cena said.

The movie centers around three friends, played by Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler, who make up the imaginary “Ricky Stanicky” to use as an alibi to get out of trouble. After their spouses and partners demand to meet Stanicky, the trio hires a struggling actor, played by Cena, to play Stanicky.

Viewers watch Cena’s character grow and change as he becomes Stanicky in a more real way than the friends initially imagined.

Cena said the process of shooting the movie was filled with funny and memorable moments.

“You see them all in the lens. We shot it quick, and the days were long, but they were great,” he said. “Filming comedies are fun. We didn’t save anything to ourselves. You guys, the audience, get it all.”

He said he’s proud of the end result.

“I’m very happy about the movie. I hope it makes people laugh,” Cena said. “That’s the one thing [I’m]nervous about [with] comedies. You hope all the jokes land. I hope everybody enjoys it tonight.”

Attendees, like Miami local Anna Rosario, were impressed by the film.

“I thought it was awesome. We love John Cena. We’re big fans,” she said.

Rebecca and Sheba Calloway, Fort Lauderdale social media influencers, also attended the premiere.

“I love Zac Efron, I love John Cena, and I was curious how they were going to make a story with those two,” Rebecca Calloway said.

She was especially appreciative of the movie’s message.

“I’ve been hoping for more comedy movies, so I think they really nailed it with this one. I love the story behind it, how you can always change,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you start, but how you finish, and you can always change your path. Even though you are dealt wrong cards, that doesn’t mean you have to be a victim of your circumstances.”

Sheba Calloway agreed.

“The storyline was really fun, but it was very inspirational as well,” she said. “It doesn’t matter where you’re planted, because you can grow from anywhere.”

Sheba Calloway especially enjoyed Cena’s portrayal of Stanicky.

“I like how he became Ricky Stanicky, not because he was de-lu-lu, but because that’s who he wanted to become. He wanted to be better,” she said.

Cena said the movie is perfect for college students.

“I’m sure you could use some laughter in your life, and I hope we can deliver that. This is a movie you can stream on Prime Video, so you don’t really have to go anywhere for it,” Cena said. “If you’re kicking it in your dorm room or in your frat house or in your housing in general, and you need a break from the grind of what being a student is, put on Ricky Stanicky and laugh a little bit.”