At Netflix’s Little Brother premiere in New York City, Eric André looked back on John Cena’s kindness during André’s early comedy days—support that helped build trust long before the two reunited for the June 26, 2026 release on Netflix.
When Eric André stepped into the spotlight at the New York City premiere of Netflix’s upcoming comedy film on June 18, the moment looked forward—but his thoughts went back to the first time John Cena showed up for him.
André didn’t just praise his Little Brother co-star. He tied their bond to the early, uncertain stretch of his career and made it sound personal. “He’s perfect. I feel comfortable with John. John did my show when I was up and coming, and he was already wildly successful,” André said to People.
Cena’s support wasn’t a passing cameo in André’s story. The two previously worked together when Cena appeared on André’s late-night talk show. The Eric André Show. on Adult Swim in 2020. André said Cena’s kindness stayed with him. “He always made me feel welcome and comfortable. and always took care of me and looked after me on set. ” he said.
That set-to-set care matters even more now that the pair have reunited after six years for Little Brother, directed by Matt Spicer. The film’s cast also includes Michelle Monaghan, Christopher Meloni, and Ego Nwodin.
In the movie. Cena plays Rudd. a real estate agent whose orderly life gets thrown off course when his little brother—played by André—unexpectedly returns. bringing chaos into the mix. While talking about the project. André kept returning to what the collaboration felt like day to day. crediting the cast and crew for creating a positive environment. “I’ve hit the jackpot with this team. ” he said. adding that “one toxic person or bully can kind of ruin the whole gig for everybody.”.
He described how that dynamic can spread on a set: “Their toxicity spreads throughout the set. But we just lucked out with this group. This is such an amazing cast. The producers are amazing. the writers are amazing. the director’s amazing. and Netflix has been nothing but incredibly supportive. ” André said.
Cena, for his part, framed Little Brother as a chance to step outside the roles he’s played before. Although the film is a comedy and Cena’s character is part of a physical-comedy story. he said the part leans into something more emotional and dramatic. “The fact that Eric would wanna take a bet on me in a different capacity,” Cena said. “This is a comedy. it’s a physical comedy. but Eric’s doing a lot of the heavy comedic lifting. and I get to kind of be the more serious role that is more vulnerable. is more dramatic.”.
He also pointed to André’s confidence in him—something Cena clearly remembered when deciding to take the project. “People don’t make those bets on me, and I’m very happy that he (André) was like, ‘I think you’d be good for this part,’” Cena said.
Cena said he was impressed the first time André shared the project with him. calling it the right kind of opportunity for André to show his range. “This is a vehicle for him to show the world exactly how talented he is. and he needed somebody to bounce off. I read it. I knew it was gonna be great for him. and after that. it was just getting the right team. ” Cena said.
Little Brother is written by Jarrad Paul and Andrew Mogel and will premiere on June 26, 2026, on Netflix.
The story of their reunion has a full-circle feel: Cena helped André early on—appearing on The Eric André Show in 2020—then comes back six years later for a film built on trust, timing, and a set environment both sides say matters.
Eric André John Cena Little Brother Netflix The Eric André Show Adult Swim Matt Spicer Michelle Monaghan Christopher Meloni Ego Nwodin Jarrad Paul Andrew Mogel WWE champ premiere June 18 2026 premiere date June 26 2026
John Cena is secretly a saint I guess.
Wait so John Cena did his show? That’s wild. I thought Cena only did wrestling stuff lol. Good for them though, love a redemption story.
People magazine quote = so it’s definitely true, right? I just skimmed but seems like André needed help early and Cena showed up. Also the movie sounds like it’s about real estate?? like why does that have anything to do with comedy chaos. Netflix is really just throwing everyone together now.
This is nice but “trust long before” like… were they not friends until now or something? I’m confused because he said Cena took care of him on set, but then they reunited after six years like that’s a long time. Also Netflix premieres and dates always get messed up on my feed, so June 26 2026 sounds fake?? Anyway Cena being “perfect” is kinda funny coming from a wrestler dude.