Dave Bautista expresses ‘relief’ that he’s done playing Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy

Nearly nine years after first appearing as Drax the Destroyer in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista expresses his “relief” that his journey at Marvel is coming to an end.

Bautista, 53, was best known for his pro wrestling exploits in WWE back then, but has now become an in-demand actor with roles for some of Hollywood’s greatest directors including Rian Johnson (Glass Onion) and Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two).

While promoting her role in M. Night Shyamalan’s upcoming film Knock at the Cabin (in theaters February 3), Bautista revealed in an interview with G.Q. that he’s grateful to be playing Drax… but he’s also glad it’s over since the part wasn’t terribly ‘likable’.

Relief: Nearly nine years after first appearing as Drax the Destroyer in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista expresses “relief” that his journey at Marvel is ending.

Not nice: While promoting his role in M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin (in theaters Feb. 3), Bautista revealed in an interview with GQ that he’s grateful to be playing Drax… but he’s also glad that finished as the role wasn’t terribly ‘nice’

I am very grateful for Drax. I’m lovin ‘it. But there is a relief [that it’s over]’ Bautista said, referring to his latest film as Drax – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in theaters May 5.

Not everything was nice. It was tough playing that role. The makeup process was hitting me,” added Bautista.

“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.

Grateful: ‘I’m very thankful for Drax. I’m lovin ‘it. But there is a relief [that it’s over]’ Bautista said, referring to his latest film as Drax – Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, in theaters May 5.

Silly: “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.

The Washington DC native was a 30-year-old bouncer in the nation’s capital when he fell to professional wrestling, eventually becoming one of WWE’s biggest stars alongside John Cena.

Unlike Cena, however, who was allowed to pursue movies, Bautista was not allowed that 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.

Bouncer turned wrestler: The Washington DC native was a 30-year-old bouncer in the nation’s capital when he fell to professional wrestling, eventually becoming one of WWE’s biggest stars alongside John Cena.

Roles: 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 that he was on his way to the gym when he was told that he landed the role of Drax the Destroyer.

“I had to stop because I was crying a lot. I turned around and walked into my house shaking to tell my wife that she got the part, and we were both standing there freaking out,” Bautista said.

After Guardians of the Galaxy was a blockbuster, bigger and better roles began to appear opposite Daniel Craig in Spectre, against Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049 and honing his comedic skills even further in 2019’s Stuber with Kumail Nanjiani.

Drax: After months of auditions, Bautista revealed that he was on his way to the gym when he was told that he landed the role of Drax the Destroyer.

Hits: After Guardians of the Galaxy was a blockbuster, bigger and better roles began to appear opposite Daniel Craig in Spectre, against Ryan Gosling in Blade Runner 2049 and honing his comedic skills even further in 2019’s Stuber with Kumail Nanjiani.

Bautista adds that he is “obsessed” with acting now, adding: “It’s this puzzle that I can’t solve. You don’t know if he’s okay, but sometimes he feels good.

‘I don’t have those moments very much, but once in a while I do. And fuck, for me, there’s nothing like it. It’s a natural high. It’s an addiction,’ she added.

His rise through the acting ranks came as another former WWE Superstar, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, was rising into the stratosphere, though Bautista admitted he never wanted to follow his path.

Rise: His rise through the acting ranks came as another former WWE Superstar, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson, was rising into the stratosphere, though Bautista admitted he never wanted his way.

‘I never wanted to be the next Rock. I just want to be a good damn actor. A respected actor’, says Bautista.

His upcoming role in Shyamalan’s Knock At the Cabin is the next step in his career, as he admits, “It’s by far the most I’ve ever spoken on film.”

Just huge pages of monologues. We were shooting on film, which is very expensive. And we were shooting with a camera, so you can’t afford to edit,” she added.

It’s your only chance, you need a perfect shot. It’s a lot of pressure. I want to remember my dialogue, but not at the cost of losing the emotion of the scene,’ she said.

Pressure: ‘It’s your only chance, you need a perfect shot. It’s a lot of pressure. I want to remember my dialogue, but not at the cost of losing the emotion of the scene,’ she said.

‘True’: Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn took to Instagram to confirm the news