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Dave Bautista Says He’s Done Playing Drax After Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3

May 8, 2021 | Posted by Jeremy Thomas
Dave Bautista Batista Drax Guardians of the Galaxy Image Credit: Marvel Studios

Dave Bautista says Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be his last time playing Drax. The actor and WWE alum has played the Guardians member in the first two films as well as Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame, but says that the forthcoming film will be the final time for him.

“There were talks for a while about a Drax and Mantis film,” Bautista said in an interview with Digital Spy. “It was really because it was James Gunn’s idea. He really wanted to do a Drax and Mantis film. He laid it out to me. I thought it was such a brilliant idea, but I haven’t heard any follow-up from the studio. I don’t think they’re very interested, or it doesn’t fit into the way they have things mapped out. But other than that, no. I mean, as far as my obligations, I’ve got Guardians 3, and that’s probably going to be the end of Drax.”

Bautista then clarified his declaration on Twitter, saying the role could continue with another actor, but James Gunn disagreed. Bautista wrote:

“Drax isn’t going anywhere. He just won’t be played by this dude! By the time [Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3] comes out I’ll be 54 years old for gods sake! Face screaming in fear I’m expecting everything to start sagging any second now.”

Gunn then replied:

“There’s no Drax for me without you, buddy! You ARE the MCU’s Drax the Destroyer and, as far as I’m concerned, could never be replaced. And you have the right to do whatever you want with your acting choices!”

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set to be written and directed by Gunn and releases on May 5th, 2023.