WWE legend Randy Orton, known for his dominance in the wrestling ring, has occasionally explored the world of acting. However, he faced a significant disappointment when he auditioned for a major role in the blockbuster film Deadpool 2. Orton vividly recalls the confidence he felt during his audition, only to be completely blindsided when he didn’t even receive a callback.

This revelation came to light during a candid discussion with fellow wrestler Cody Rhodes on WWE’s “What Do You Wanna Talk About?” podcast. The topic of auditions led Orton to share his experience vying for the role of Cable, a character in Deadpool 2 ultimately portrayed by Josh Brolin. For Orton, this audition was particularly meaningful as it marked one of his first major forays into Hollywood after securing representation. Despite his 14-time world champion status in WWE, Orton quickly learned that the film industry operates on a different set of rules and expectations. The rejection served as a humbling lesson, one that left him both surprised and introspective.

Orton reminisced, “I remember getting an audition early on when I finally got some representation in that industry. Deadpool 2 came up, and I read for Cable. In my head, I was convinced I was going to be Cable. I thought, ‘This is it.’ But there was no callback, no acknowledgment. Of course, Josh Brolin got the role and absolutely nailed it.”

Reflecting on his journey, Orton expressed contentment with his wrestling career. “I realized then that while I could audition for these roles, at my core, I’m a pro wrestler. I genuinely enjoy what wrestling has given me and don’t foresee leaving WWE anytime soon,” he added.

Before auditioning for Deadpool 2, Orton had already dipped his toes in acting. His debut was in the 2011 dramedy That’s What I Am, produced by WWE Studios. He then starred in 2013’s 12 Rounds 2: Reloaded, a sequel to John Cena’s 2009 film 12 Rounds. Orton also took the lead in The Condemned 2 in 2015, following in the footsteps of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin who starred in the original. Additionally, he appeared in a minor role in the 2016 WWE-produced film Countdown, alongside other wrestling stars like Roman Reigns, Kane, Big Show, and Dolph Ziggler.

Despite his initial enthusiasm for acting, Orton’s interest seemed to wane after the Deadpool 2 experience. His last film appearance was in Seth Green’s Changeland in 2019, which stands out as his only non-WWE Studios project to date. Meanwhile, Cody Rhodes appears to be just beginning his acting journey, recently securing a role in the upcoming comedy-action film The Naked Gun.

Deadpool 2, directed by David Leitch and released on May 18, 2018, by 20th Century Fox and Marvel Entertainment, features foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (Deadpool) assembling a team of rogue mutants to protect a young boy from the ruthless, time-traveling cyborg Cable. The film stars Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool, Josh Brolin as Cable, and includes performances by Morena Baccarin, Julian Dennison, Zazie Beetz, among others. Written by Rhett Reese, Paul Wernick, Ryan Reynolds, Rob Liefeld, and Fabian Nicieza, Deadpool 2 runs for 119 minutes and combines superhero action with comedy.

This journey into acting offered Orton a new perspective on his career aspirations and solidified his appreciation for the world of professional wrestling.