Dave Bautista recently revealed his enthusiasm for a new superhero role in upcoming films, indicating that he has reached out to James Gunn and the Russo Brothers. Bautista, who portrayed Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, stated that he is eager to explore a different character now that his time with Drax is over.
Having already communicated with James Gunn, who is currently leading DC Studios and directed Bautista in three “Guardians of the Galaxy” films, as well as the Russo Brothers—who helmed “Avengers: Infinity War” and “Endgame”—Bautista expressed his desire to continue working within the superhero genre. “Drax is completely closed to me,” Bautista said. He added, “Unless James Gunn called me and asked if I would do something as Drax again, I just wouldn’t be interested.” His commitment to moving forward appears firm, and he acknowledged that Gunn has taken a different path with DC.
Despite concluding his run as Drax in 2023’s “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3,” Bautista made it clear that he is still passionate about comic book films. “I do wanna be in that world,” he stated, conveying his affinity for both Marvel and DC universes. He has made his interest known to Gunn and the Russo Brothers, telling them, “Don’t count me out. If there’s a character that I’d be right for and that you want me for, man, I’d be totally open-minded to it.”
With the absence of Drax in the Russo Brothers’ upcoming “Avengers” titles—2026’s “Doomsday” and 2027’s “Secret Wars”—Bautista appears ready to shift gears. In a previous interview with Gizmodo, he expressed a desire to step into a more complex role, specifically hinting at the possibility of portraying a villain. “I just would like the opportunity to do a bigger role, a different role,” he explained. “Maybe a deeper role. I’d love to have the opportunity to play, like, an ominous villain in the superhero universe.”
In 2023, Bautista was candid about his experience playing Drax, describing it as a relief to move on. In an interview with GQ magazine, he reflected that “it wasn’t all pleasant,” and emphasized the physical and emotional toll that the makeup process had taken on him. “I just don’t know if I want Drax to be my legacy,” he said. Bautista hopes to move toward more serious and dramatic performances, feeling that the comedic nature of Drax overshadowed his potential for deeper roles.
Back in 2021, Bautista criticized Marvel for not fully exploring Drax’s rich backstory. He stated that the character had much more depth that was not sufficiently addressed in the films. With his sights set on new opportunities, Bautista is clearly eager to break away from the past and dive into fresh challenges within the superhero realm, promising fans that his journey is far from over.
