USA Today has a story this weekend on WWE Studios’ shift from producing action-type movies to low-budget films aimed at families. The article features quotes from WWE Superstars John Cena and Triple H discussing the company’s initiative.
Legendary, which is set for release this Friday, is the first of nine movies tapped under the company’s new direction. Billed as a “limited release” film, company officials are hoping it gets picked up by more theaters in the ensuing weeks.
“These are good character-driven stories,” says WWE Studios president Mike Pavone of movies such as Legendary. “We’re not blowing up buildings and we get wonderful people in the mix of our ensemble casts. It really elevates the project and makes a big difference. We’ve put together a wonderful family of crew. We do our homework. We have a couple of solid foundational columns, then we weave everything else around it.”
Triple H, who stars in a family film of his own set for release next year entitled The Chaperone, parroted Pavone’s remarks by saying WWE Studios is shying away from the public’s preconceived notion of wrestlers beating people up and destroying things.
“The movies we do are not what people would stereotypically think,” says Triple H. “The stereotype goes ‘WWE, the wrestling guys, they blow stuff up and beat up people and there’s going to be a big car chase and 100 cars are going to get ruined.’
“People don’t care about that,” he feels. “They care about good stories.”
To read the piece in its entirety, click here.
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