For WWE Studios, The Marine is basically their flagship franchise. It started as a showcase for company poster boy, John Cena, who took it to poor box office but renewed life on DVD. They dropped the ball big time with the sequel, yet the WWE has made it a priority to get back on track with The Marine: Homefront. Unfortunately, they've run into some hurdles in finding somebody to star in it.
After considering bringing back John Cena for a story that would've jumped off right from the end of the first film, they decided to go in a different direction and cast "The Viper" Randy Orton. There was just one problem: Orton actually was a Marine back in the day. A terrible one, who went AWOL and spent time in a military prison. Actual soldiers were not amused by the casting, forcing WWE to change their plans. Oops. So with Orton out, Vince McMahon has chosen another ex-WWE World Heavyweight Champion with a spotty past, naming Mike "The Miz" Mizanin as the new star.
The Miz began his career as a pro wrestler in 2003, finally beginning his WWE training in 2004 and being called up to the active roster in 2006. However, he was known by many folks long before that, as he was featured on the tenth season of MTV's The Real World, before spending a few seasons on Real World/Road Rules Challenge, where he constantly expressed his lifelong dream of becoming a pro wrestler. In 2010 he won his first World Heavyweight Championship.
The Marine: Homefront will have The Miz playing a Marine attempting to rescue his daughter from a group of terrorists. Scott Wiper(The Condemned) will direct when filming begins in June in Vancouver, and will be a part of the WWE's three-picture deal with Fox Home Entertainment. [PWInsider]
