WWE movie debuts at Camp Pendleton; Marines meet wrestlers at base theater

By: JOE BECK - Staff Writer | Tuesday, October 3, 2006 11:53 PM PDT ∞

CAMP PENDLETON ---- Marines, pro wrestlers and wrestling divas took center stage outside the Camp Pendleton movie theater Tuesday evening for the world premiere of a Marine-flavored movie.

The crowd of about 1,000 that gathered outside the theater was in a festive mood as prominent figures from World Wrestling Entertainment ---- John Cena, Maria, Candice Michelle, Ric Flair and HHH ---- signed autographs and paraded around the red-carpeted sidewalk in front of them. Children and teenagers from Marine families lined the entrance to the theater sidewalk and broke into chants of "Cena, Cena" as the square-jawed star of the movie arrived and began mingling with them.

"I wanted to meet John Cena, he's the champion," said 9-year-old Christoph Nehlley of San Diego.

"And he was a Marine," said Travis Arrivillaga, 10, who traveled from Los Angeles to attend the movie.

Cena certainly looked the part of a Marine with his crew cut, khaki T-shirt and camouflage pants. But in an interview along the rope line, he said his military experience has been limited to appearing in his role as a pro wrestler before service members in the United States, Iraq and Afghanistan. "The only military background I have is through the WWE," Cena said.

A studio press release from the WWE describes the movie, "The Marine," as "part of an ongoing WWE campaign to support the men and women of the U.S. military."

The movie was filmed in Australia and is rated PG-13 for what its Web site describes as "intense sequences of violent action, sensuality and language." Cena plays a recently discharged Marine who returns home from Iraq and has to rescue his kidnapped wife from a gang of killers.

Cena said most of the military scenes appear in the first five minutes of the movie, and the remainder of the plot involves his rocky return to civilian life. The military had no official role in the making of the movie, but Marine officials did review the script for accuracy, said one person involved in the marketing of the movie. He spoke on the condition that he not be named.

The WWE announced last week that those allowed inside the theater to see the movie ---- service members and their families -- were scheduled to hear a new public service message from America Supports You, a nationwide program organized by the Department of Defense to highlight Americans' support for members of the military and their families.

Cena said there were big differences between acting on a set and wrestling in a ring. Movie locations are closed off and limited to a few actors performing before a camera. "You don't have the chaos and excitement like this to help you out," he said, referring to the din from the crowd along the rope line.

Kelly Carlson, who plays Cena's wife in the movie, said part of the plot deals with his character's struggles with the psychological aftermath of combat. She said her role marks a departure from others she has played. "It's the first time I play a nice person," she said.

HHH said he hoped "The Marine" would bring new popularity for Cena and other WWE wrestlers.

"You look at movies now, there aren't a lot of action stars, not a lot of believable action stars," he said. "We are the action stars."

The movie will be released to the general public Oct. 13.

-- Contact staff writer Joe Beck at (760) 740-3516 or jbeck@nctimes.com.