Dave Bautista was best known as a pro-wrestler before landing the role of Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy. He’s set to reprise the character one more time for GOTG Vol. 3, and while the fans are sad to see Drax go, Bautista says he’s pretty grateful to be done playing the role.
“I’m so grateful for Drax. I love him,” Bautista tells GQ, “But there’s a relief [that it’s over]. It wasn’t all pleasant. It was hard playing that role. The makeup process was beating me down. And I just don’t know if I want Drax to be my legacy—it’s a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff.”
If anything, Bautista has managed to nab some roles in more cerebral projects like Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049 and Dune; as well as Rian Johnson’s recently released Knives Out.
While the Rock seems to be content to play the usual role in action movies for 16-year-olds, you can clearly see that Bautista is trying to nab roles outside of his type, even landing the lead in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming movie Knock at the Cabin. I guess it all wouldn’t have been possible if he didn’t get to do Drax first.
For now, Drax’s role in the next movie is a mystery, but some suspect that Drax will definitely be dying this time. With the character spending so much time lamenting his lost family in every Guardians film, I think his arc is going to close with him finally being able to join them.
At least, that’s my guess.
Catch Bautista in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 which comes to theaters May 5, 2023.
