The WWE star-action film staple was summoned by Kimmel, who referenced the 50-year anniversary of a streaker running onto the stage at the ceremony.
Host, 56, sought to salvage sagging show with callback involving Cena, 46. READ MORE: Oscars 2024 LIVE: Awards, red carpet news, winner recaps, and more . READ MORE: Oscars 2024: WINNERS revealed!John Cena appeared on the stage at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood at Sunday's 96th Academy Awards in a bit with host Jimmy Kimmel.
Kimmel said: 'I can't come there - do the thing! Excuse me for a second. What's going on? You're supposed to run across the stage' as Cena said: 'Yeah, I - changed my mind. I don't want to do the streaker bit.' The host, 56, returning for the fourth time, left the A-listers grinning and cringing in equal measure as he took to the stage.
The joke fell flat as RDJ looked somber while staring at the camera while fans slammed Kimmel for his 'bottom of the barrel' jokes about substance abuse. Last year's other smash hit movie - Barbie - was nominated for eight awards, but also fell victim to notable snubs from the Academy. The second most-nominated movie was Poor Things, a graphic art house movie starring Emma Stone that has wowed critics but so-far failed to set the box office alight.
Yorgos Lanthimos' Poor Things took home 11 Oscar nominations and Killers of the Flower Moon landed 10. Sterling K. Brown, Robert De Niro, Robert Downey Jr., Ryan Gosling and Mark Ruffalo received nominations for best actor in a supporting role.