John Cena: Academy Award Nominee

Okay, not really.

But after the studio’s strategy of opening John Cena’s Ferdinand as counter-programming opposite Star Wars: The Last Jedi failed to lead to a box office bonanza in December 2017, the film getting a nod in The Academy Awards as one of five Best Animated Feature Film contenders should ease the sting a little.

This isn’t an acting award, although critics did praise Cena’s voice work in the adaptation of the children’s book about a kind-hearted bull. And while the movie got good buzz from the folks who did see it, it’s a long-shot to win an Oscar against Pixar’s Coco (The Academy just needed competitors for the Disney studio’s latest - the field was thin enough the critically-panned Boss Baby made the cut).

At least Cena can say he’s keeping up with his friendly rival Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, whose Moana was nominated in the same category last year.

Now go land Duke Nukem and really show off your range, John!