details of top star losing big movie role because of John Cena

[Liz]

The first installment in the Marine franchise marked the feature film debut of John Cena. However, it has now been revealed that Kurt Angle was slated to play the lead role in the movie.

The Olympic Gold Medalist opened up about missing out on The Marine on his podcast and added that he was offered the role after Steve Austin's WWE exit. The Texas Rattlesnake left the company despite being Vince McMahon's first choice for the job.

Kurt Angle was next in line, and he was looking forward to taking a break to film the movie. Much to the former world champion's surprise, Vince McMahon decided to hand over The Marine to John Cena.

"The Marine was supposed to be my movie. What happened was, 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin was told that he was going to do 'The Marine'... Steve left the company, so Vince gave the movie to me. I had it, and they weren't sure when they were going to film it. A year went by, and then Vince came to me and said 'Hey, listen, I want to give that Marine movie to John Cena.'"

WWE wanted to position John Cena as a future megastar. McMahon felt that featuring the rising talent in a big movie would help legitimize his name in the business.

While Kurt Angle wasn't angry with the Cenation Leader, the veteran said he wasn't happy with the WWE boss.

"I wasn't mad at John; I was mad at Vince. He just took the movie away from me because this new kid came in and made a huge impact. I made a huge impact too!" (H/t WrestlingInc)

Kurt Angle losing a spot in the 2006 movie was the beginning of the end of his WWE run as he departed the company the same year.