Dave Bautista wants to jump into more dramatic roles as his film career continues to grow.
During a recent interview with GQ, Dave Bautista spoke about how his time playing Drax The Destroyer is winding down. Bautista recently portrayed the character in the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, and he’ll be seen as Drax for the final time in May’s Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.
Bautista is appreciative for the chance to play Drax but says he’s not sure if he wants that role to be how he’s defined in his film career.
“I’m so grateful for Drax. I love him,” he explained. “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.”
Bautista said he’d love the chance at a starring role in a film from Denis Villenueve, the director who he’s already worked with on Blade Runner 2049 and both Dune films.
“If I could be a number one [on the callsheet] with Denis, I would do it for fucking free,” Bautista said. “I think that’s how I could find out how good I could be. He brings out the best in me. He sees me in a different light, sees the performer that I want to be. That might be how I solve the puzzle.”
Bautista has often said he never set out to be the “next Rock” and is rather focused on becoming a better actor. Bautista said that his goal is still the same; he doesn’t need fame, but he does need to know he achieved something.
“Honestly, I could give a fuck [about being a movie star],” he said. “I don’t live a great big glamorous life. I live here in Tampa. I don’t care about the spotlight, I don’t care about fame. I just want to be a better actor. I want respect from my peers. I don’t need accolades—I really don’t, man. It’s about the experience, about knowing that I accomplished something.”
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