Almost nine years after his first appearance as Drax the Destroyer in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista expresses his “relief” that his Marvel journey is coming to an end.
Back then, the 53-year-old Bautista was better known for his exploits as a professional wrestler in WWE, but he’s now become quite the sought-after actor, with roles for some of Hollywood’s top directors like Rian Johnson (Glass Onion) Denis Villeneuve (Dune : Part two).
While promoting his role in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming Knock at the Cabin (in theaters February 3), Bautista revealed in an interview with GQ that he’s grateful to play Drax… but he’s also glad he is it’s over since the role wasn’t terrible ‘enjoyable.’
Relief: Almost nine years after first appearing as Drax the Destroyer in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista expresses his “relief” that his Marvel journey is coming to an end
Not pleasant: While promoting his role in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming Knock at the Cabin (in theaters February 3), Bautista revealed in an interview with GQ that he’s grateful to play Drax… but he is, too glad it’s over since the role ended ‘not terribly ‘enjoyable’
“I am so grateful to Drax. I love him. But there is a relief [that it’s over]’ said Bautista, referring to his final film as Drax – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in theaters May 5.
“It wasn’t all pleasant. It was hard to play that role. The makeup process knocked me out,” added Bautista.
“And I just don’t know if I want Drax to be my legacy – it’s a silly achievement and I want to do more dramatic stuff,” Bautista said.
![Grateful: “I am so grateful to Drax. I love him. But there is a relief [that it¿s over]' said Bautista, referring to his final film as Drax – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in theaters May 5](https://www.spamchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/1672883498_503_Dave-Bautista-expresses-his-relief-at-having-played-Drax-in.jpg "Dave Bautista expresses his \"relief\" at having played Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy 5")
Grateful: “I am so grateful to Drax. I love him. But there is a relief [that it’s over]’ said Bautista, referring to his final film as Drax – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in theaters May 5
Stupid: “And I just don’t know if I want to make Drax my legacy — it’s a silly notion and I want to do more dramatic stuff,” Bautista said
A Washington DC native, he was a 30-year-old bouncer in the nation’s capital when he entered professional wrestling and eventually rose to become one of WWE’s biggest stars alongside John Cena.
However, unlike Cena, who was allowed to make films on the side, Bautista could not afford it and left WWE in 2010.
He appeared in small roles in The Scorpion King 3, The Man With the Iron Fists and Riddick before landing his breakthrough role in Guardians of the Galaxy.
From bouncer to wrestler: The Washington DC native was a 30-year-old bouncer in the nation’s capital when he entered professional wrestling and eventually rose to become one of WWE’s biggest stars alongside John Cena
Roles: He appeared in small roles in The Scorpion King 3, The Man With the Iron Fists and Riddick before landing his breakthrough role in Guardians of the Galaxy
After months of auditions, Bautista revealed he was on his way to the gym when he was told he’d landed the role of Drax the Destroyer.
“I had to stop because I was crying so much. I turned back and walked into my house shaking to tell my wife I got the part and we both stood there freaking out,” Bautista said.
After Guardians of the Galaxy was a box office hit, bigger and better roles began alongside Daniel Craig in Spectre, against Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049 and he honed his comedic skills even further in 2019’s Stuber with Kumail Nanjiani.
Drax: After months of auditioning, Bautista revealed he was on his way to the gym when he was told he’d landed the role of Drax the Destroyer
Hits: After Guardians of the Galaxy was a box office hit, bigger and better roles began alongside Daniel Craig in Spectre, against Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049 and he honed his comedic skills even further in 2019’s Stuber with Kumail Nanjiani
Bautista adds that he’s now “obsessed” with acting, adding, “It’s this mystery I can’t solve. You don’t know if it’s right, but sometimes it feels right.’
“I don’t have those moments often, but I do have them every now and then. And damn, for me there is nothing quite like it. It’s a natural high. It’s an addiction,” he added.
His rise through the acting ranks came as another former WWE Superstar – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – rose to the stratosphere, though Bautista admitted he never wanted his way.
Rise: His rise through the acting ranks came as another former WWE Superstar – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – rose to the stratosphere, though Bautista admitted he never wanted his way
“I never wanted to be the next rock. I just want to be a damn good actor. A respected actor,” says Bautista.
His next role in Shyamalan’s Knock At the Cabin is the next step in his career, as he admits, “It’s by far the most voiced thing I’ve ever spoken in a movie.”
‘Just huge pages of monologues. We shot on film, which is very expensive. And we shot with one camera, so you don’t have the luxury of editing,” he added.
“This is your only chance – you need a perfect attitude. It’s a lot of pressure. I want to remember my dialogue, but not at the expense of the emotion of the scene,” he said.
Pressure: “It’s your only chance – you need a perfect attitude. It’s a lot of pressure. I want to remember my dialogue, but not at the expense of the emotion of the scene,” he said