‘Ricky Stanicky’ Trailer: Zac Efron Hires John Cena to Be His Fake Friend in Peter Farrelly’s Return to Comedy

Samantha Bergeson
·2 min read
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The Efron-assaince is still in full swing. Zac Efron continues his career comeback on the heels of his buzzy turn in critically acclaimed “The Iron Claw” by teaming up again with his “The Greatest Beer Run Ever” director Peter Farrelly. Yet this time, Efron and Farrelly are both returning to their comedy roots with the Prime Video feature “Ricky Stanicky.”

Farrelly directs from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jeff Bushell, Brian Jarvis, James Lee Freeman, Pete Jones, and Mike Cerrone. The film follows a trio of childhood best friends who long ago devised the perfect (and imaginary) scapegoat pal to blame all their wild adventures on. However, now that they are adults, they actually need to answer for their immaturity … by hiring a make-believe friend (John Cena) to fill that fake role.

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The film’s official synopsis reads: “When three childhood best friends pull a prank gone wrong, they invent the imaginary Ricky Stanicky to get them out of trouble. Twenty years after creating this ‘friend,’ Dean, JT, and Wes (Zac Efron, Andrew Santino, and Jermaine Fowler) still use the nonexistent Ricky as a handy alibi for their immature behavior. When their spouses and partners get suspicious and demand to finally meet the fabled Mr. Stanicky, the guilty trio decide to hire washed-up actor and raunchy celebrity impersonator ‘Rock Hard’ Rod (John Cena) to bring him to life. But when Rod takes his role of a lifetime too far, they begin to wish they’d never invented Ricky in the first place.”

William H. Macy, Lex Scott Davis, and Anja Savcic co-star.

“Ricky Stanicky” is billed as “Dumb and Dumber” and “There’s Something About Mary” helmer Farrelly’s return to his iconic comedy genre on the heels of his “Green Book” Oscar win and Vietnam drama “The Greatest Beer Run Ever.”

Meanwhile, “Ricky Stanicky” marks Cena’s first role since his cameo in Oscar-nominated film “Barbie.” Cena previously starred in a slew of comedies like “Blockers” and “Daddy’s Home 2.” The actor will also reprise his role in the “Peacemaker” superhero series for a second season at HBO streaming platform Max.

“Ricky Stanicky” premieres March 7 on Prime Video. Check out the trailer below.

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