One day after his longtime ICM agent announced a move to management, John Cena has signed with WME, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.
Also on Friday, according to sources, Christina Bazdekis, who represents actor John Turturro and filmmaker Liz Garbus, among others, suddenly departed ICM. She is heading to another agency, but it was not clear which one at press time.
The back-to-back-to-back moves illustrate the swiftly shifting sands beneath the long-in-the-works acquisition of ICM by CAA, as the deal — still subject to regulatory oversight — enters a new stage.
Cena’s agent for the last 18 years has been Dan Baime, who in turn had been at ICM for the last 25. Yesterday, Baime announced his exit and transition to management, launching Intenta Management. That move put Cena in play, despite ICM’s overtures to have the star stay and transition to CAA. A day later and Cena has a new home for the first time in almost two decades.
Over that same timespan, Cena has gone from WWE superstar to global action star, as well as best-selling author and producer. Cena parlayed a leading role in last summer’s The Suicide Squad into an HBO Max spinoff, The Peacemaker, which became a surprise hit. The show was renewed for a second season, and Cena is also exec producing.
Cena recently signed on to star in Warner Bros.’ Looney Tunes animated hybrid film, Coyote vs. Acme, and may pop up in Fast X, reprising his role as Vin Diesel’s brother.
He continues to be represented by law firm Johnson Shapiro.
