As Dave Bautista reunites with John Wick producers Basil Iwanyk and Erica Lee for Dreadnought, the actor has teased that audiences should prepare themselves for world-shattering twists. The upcoming sci-fi thriller follows a single widowed father left to defend himself and his sick daughter from an extraterrestrial threat following the Earth becoming ravaged by an otherworldly plague. Written by Joseph Greenberg and directed by Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott, the Bautista-led action movie sees him playing Max, who seeks to protect his daughter from being taken by an alien Sentinel.
While sitting down with Screen Rant to discuss In The Lost Lands, Bautista shone a light on the recently revealed Dreadnought and the secrets that the plot has in store. While the actor remained tight-lipped about the story, Bautista stated that there is still much to the story that audiences are not prepared for. He described Dreadnought as being more than the simple action sci-fi movie that the synopsis suggested, stating that it will strike a chord with audiences.
Bautista’s excitement for the film was evident when he elaborated, “Oh, yeah, that’s really cool. I think people are going to be really surprised by that because it’s really kind of deeper than the description of the sales pitch is. It’s a really cool film.” Though details are few on Dreadnought at the current stage of production, the synopsis has already offered plenty of hints that could reveal its deeper story.
While humanity may have struck a tentative peace with the alien race that brought the plague that claimed Max’s wife and a significant portion of the species, the widowed father finds himself at the center of the alien’s ritual, as his daughter Greta’s body can be used to fulfill the process. With the fragile peace that remains, the world’s leadership won’t step in, leaving Max to his own devices to stop the aliens.
Since transitioning from a bonafide WWE star to a serious actor, Dave Bautista has starred in 22 films to date. His latest role as Max seems set to resemble the conclusion of The Last of Us season 1, where Joel (Pedro Pascal) chooses to rescue his adoptive daughter Ellie (Bella Ramsey), prioritizing his loved one over the world. With the aliens wanting to use Greta’s body in a ritual that can completely change the balance of the world, it is possible that the process could indeed end the plague, putting Max in a position where he must choose between his loved one and a hopeful future for all of humanity.
Bautista has shown remarkable range compared to most famous wrestlers-turned-actors, with roles in Guardians of the Galaxy’s Drax the Destroyer, Spectre’s Mr. Hinx, Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, Blade Runner 2049, and Knock at the Cabin showcasing his ability to tackle more emotional, comedic, and conflicting figures. This versatility has generated significant excitement for the direction of his career.
The loose, ever-changing laws of the science fiction genre grant writers the freedom to incorporate shocking elements in unexpected ways. Furthermore, the vast possibilities to subvert and surprise audiences with a twist that sci-fi offers enhances the intrigue surrounding Dreadnought’s hidden plot, which is sure to keep viewers guessing as more details emerge.
As many cinemagoers are eager to see fresh, original ideas showcased on the big screen, Bautista’s upcoming feature appears well-positioned to meet such audience desires. In The Lost Lands releases in theaters on March 7, but all eyes are already on the thrilling promise of Dreadnought.
