WWE superstar Randy Orton has been removed from his upcoming leading role in Marine: Homefront after several real-life Marines expressed disgust over his casting. According to TMZ, the Marines were outraged because they are claiming that Orton deserted them during his brief time spent in the USMC.
This all stems from the fact that Orton received a dishonorable discharge from his unit after going AWOL on two separate occasions and disobeying his superiors in 1999. Orton was even court-martialed and had to spend 38 days in prison for these incidents.
A representative for WWE told the site, "WWE demonstrated poor judgment in signing Randy Orton for the 3rd installment of the film." The rep continued, "Despite Randy's popularity, the fact that he was dishonorably discharged from the USMC made it inappropriate for him to be cast in this film."
One of Orton's former unit members, Cpl. Mike Vinn, was among the most furious, and said, "I am disgusted that his face and the word Marine are being used next to each other -- real or fake -- because of the fact that he quit us, the country, and the Marine Corps. [Randy] in the role of a Marine is a disgrace to those that have worn and are wearing that uniform."
There is no word on who WWE will get to replace Orton, but we're guessing that whoever it is probably owns a pair of tights.
[via TMZ]
