West Newbury's John Cena is about to begin preproduction on his second action film, and this time he's got renowned action film director Renny Harlin behind him.
Cena will star in "12 Rounds," in which he plays a New Orleans cop whose girlfriend is kidnapped. The budget for the film is about $20 million, according to Variety. The professional-wrestling star started his movie career with "The Marine," which grossed about $22 million at the box office.
Harlin is best known for directing "Die Hard 2" and "Cliffhanger" in the early 1990s.
In an interview with The Morning Buzz radio show yesterday morning to promote his return to the World Wrestling Entertainment ring after a pectoral injury, as well as to announce his new film, he also related some of his favorite local haunts.
Cena said he recently had a great time meeting with old friends at the Sylvan Street Grille in Salisbury and also enjoys the Winner's Circle because it still has the quarter-operated arcade games.
