In a touching moment in this week’s episode of Peacemaker on HBO Max, John Cena played Motley Crue’s Home Sweet Home on the piano. James Gunn confirmed Cena actually played the song on Twitter, and what led to the director choosing this song.
“For those of you asking, yes, that was really John Cena playing the piano version of Motley Crue’s ‘Home Sweet Home’ in the latest episode of Peacemaker,” Gunn Tweeted. “While we were shooting The Suicide Squad in Panama, I got word my dog of nearly 17 years was about to pass away. It was one of the saddest days of my life. I decided to fly home for a day to be with him. I sat in the hotel lobby bar with John waiting to be taken to the airport.”
“John got up and sat at the grand piano and played the most beautiful rendition of The Pixies’ ‘Where Is My Mind’,” Gunn continued. “It crushed me and yet soothed me and everyone around me was crying. I wanted to capture some semblance of that moment with this song.”
Cena originally performed the song to celebrate the 900,000th subscriber to then-fiance Nikki Bella on Youtube.
Gunn explained how Take Me Home works perfectly for the Peacemaker character and why it defines him so well.
“Chris Smith is an artist who has been decimated by this world. He’s been decimated by who his parents are, what his surroundings are, and the entire culture he’s been brought up in,” Gunn said. “This is not to say he is not culpable; he is. But he is emotionally mute, unable to express himself.”
Gunn made sure to note that this version was arranged by John Murphy, composer of The Suicide Squad, and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3. It’s also been added to the show’s official playlist.
Cena is actually an accomplished amateur pianist, having performed here and there, even performing for Tyrese a few years ago at his home doing a few compositions.
