Dave Bautista’s Drax Days Are Done—Unless Gunn Calls!
In a candid chat with ComicBook, former WWE star and Marvel muscle Dave Bautista has officially claimed that his portrayal of Drax the Destroyer has “run its course.” However, hold your superheroic horse! Bautista isn’t opposed to leapfrogging into another comic book role—if the call comes from director James Gunn. With Gunn now steering the ship for DC Studios after his stint with Marvel, the chances of seeing Drax come back for another Guardians of the Galaxy flick are as slim as a stick figure at an Avengers party. Bautista explains, “Drax is completely closed to me. Unless James Gunn called me…I just wouldn’t be interested,” which signals that his Marvel chapter really might be coming to a close. But let’s not write Bautista off just yet! The brawny actor is keen on rejoining the superhero fray, whether it’s in the Marvel or DC universe, declaring he’s still got his eyes on comic-book action.
Having burst onto the scene as Drax in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy (thanks to Gunn), Bautista has essentially owned this role for nearly a decade, complete with appearances in the Avengers saga and the cheeky Thor: Love and Thunder. Despite his passion for the character, Bautista feels it’s time to pass the cosmic baton, saying he’s shared his openness to new roles with Gunn and the Russo brothers, who spearheaded the Avengers films. With Marvel’s next Avengers installment, expected in 2026, on the horizon, one can’t help but wonder if any Guardians characters will cameo or if we’ll receive fresh faces altogether. Bautista’s desire to remain in that action-packed universe highlights a broader trend where actors are eager to step into new superhero capes. The superhero genre continues to move rapidly, and as this ex-wrestler navigates his way through Hollywood, could we see him pop up in new, exciting ways? Honestly, grab your popcorn—this superhero saga is far from over!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and ComicBook, Deadline, Variety
