WWE owner Vince McMahon is determined to make a success of the film company he formed a couple of years back, even though the studio has so far produced three under-performing movies with their wrestlers who have failed to become movie stars.

I fully expected after their “banker” movie THE CONDEMNED with Stone Cold Steve Austin failed that the future for WWE Films would be straight to DVD but today’s report from Variety would suggest their fourth movie will get a big theatrical run. McMahon is putting $20 million into a action/thriller which will star their hottest wrestler John Cena (THE MARINE) and will be distributed by 20th Century Fox with recognised Hollywood director Renny Harlin at the helm.

Harlin just completed directing THE CLEANER with Samuel L. Jackson and in the past was the go-to-guy for DIE HARD 2, THE LONG KISS GOODNIGHT, CUTTHROAT ISLAND and DEEP BLUE SEA.

The movie will see Cena play a New Orleans police detective whose girlfriend is kidnapped, which correct me if I’m wrong, was the exact same plot for THE MARINE. Maybe they are thinking with a recognised director, they might make some money with the plot this time.

12 ROUNDS will begin shooting in 10 days time and will be the first WWE film shot in America, after dumping the backdrop of Australia which has been used for the previous three films.

With Harlin on board, it might be slightly better than the usual WWE yarn but I can’t see this company ever having a big hit. There might be a future on DTV small movies which the wrestling fans can enjoy but I can’t see them ever having a big box office hit.