Dave Bautista is mainly known for his role as Drax the Destroyer in the endless machine of Marvel projects. The wrestler-turned-actor has closed Drax’s chapter with James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 3, which concluded the character’s MCU arc in a highly satisfying manner. Bautista still wants to work for a superhero franchise, either DCU or Marvel. However, he wants to play “an ominous villain” this time.
In a recent interview with Gizmodo’s io9, Dave Bautista was asked whether he would return as Drax in a future Marvel project. This is what he said:
“No, no. When I said that I was done, I was really just done with my journey as Drax. I love the universe—the superhero universe, I love it. I’m a fan. So Marvel or DC, if they call, I would answer the phone. And if the role makes sense, I’d be all over it. I just would like the opportunity to do a bigger role, a different role. Maybe a deeper role. I’d love to have the opportunity to play, like an ominous villain in the superhero universe. Yeah. But never. I’m not done with it. But my journey with Drax is over.”
The rumours about Bautista playing Bane (one of Batman’s villains) in a DC project first surfaced when his regular collaborator, James Gunn, accepted the leadership of DC Studios. In an interview with Digital Spy in February 2023, the GOTG actor declined to play the notorious Batman foe in a future live-action DC project, hailing his growing age as one of his major concerns. “I don’t think at this point in my career that I can bring justice to Bane anymore.”
Bautista’s above-mentioned comments make sense, as he is 55 years old. We do not know for how long he can act in Hollywood projects. This is why, coming out of Drax’s shadow is necessary for Bautista, a strategy that will help him break out of his usual typecasting. There is one superhero villain the Dune: Part Two actor can play, Hugo Strange. However, playing the deranged DC scientist would be a challenge for him, as the character is not physically imposing. Bautista needs to flesh out the character’s cunning and unhinged persona. Plus, DCU is under Gunn’s control. The actor would not hesitate staying under the shadow of Superman: Legacy’s helmer as long as the latter oversees the DCU.
In addition, Dave Bautista’s take on Hugo Strange may give the character more mainstream attention. He has played villainous or complicated characters in projects like Spectre (2015), Blade Runner 2049 (2017), Dune (2021), Knock at the Cabin (2023), and more. Stay tuned for more updates.
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