Dave Bautista says that his role in Dune validated his decision to leave wrestling. After a successful period in the WWE, Bautista began his acting career with smaller TV roles, often portraying himself in cameos. Since then, he has gone on to become a global film star, starring as Drax the Destroyer in the MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy as well as appearing in Blade Runner 2049 and Spectre.
Having previously worked with director Denis Villeneuve on Blade Runner 2049, Bautista joined the star-studded Dune cast as Glossu Rabban, the nephew of Stellan Skarsgård’s menacing Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. The film has been released across much of the world but is still upcoming in many of the largest markets, including the US and China. Despite its limited release, the film has grossed over $100 million at the box office so far, putting it well on its way to getting a sequel approved. Though some have criticized certain elements of the film, Dune has been largely praised by critics, who have cited the performances as one of the film’s best features.
Now, in an interview with EW, Bautista shares his thoughts on the risk of leaving his wrestling career. Stating that he made the decision because he “fell in love with acting,” Bautista says the transition wasn't easy, and securing a role used to take serious time. Having big-name directors like Villeneuve reach out to him with a part in mind feels incredibly validating. Check out Bautista’s full comments below:
"I left a career in professional wrestling to take a chance on myself because I fell in love with acting. It took me forever to get a job, so when someone like Denis calls me and says 'I really want you to play this part,' that validates the sacrifice and the chance I took on myself."
With Bautista now virtually a household name, it might be surprising to hear that he considered his decision to leave wrestling and begin acting to be a risk. Bautista isn’t the first wrestler to make the switch successfully and likely won't be the last, but his comments mark him as an inspirational figure for those that will follow in his footsteps. It’s also noteworthy that Villeneuve specifically sought out Bautista for Dune, giving him a role that required an actor with an imposing physical presence. Having worked with Bautista before, Villeneuve was clearly confident in Bautista’s ability to bring Glossu Rabban to life on-screen.
Bautista's risk certainly paid off, and it's been exciting for his growing fanbase to watch his acting career unfold. With the Dune sequel looking increasingly likely to be greenlit and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 set to begin filming in the near future, Bautista will remain busy for at least the next few years. And, if Dune: Part Two remains faithful to the books, Bautista and the other Harkonnens will have an even larger role to play, giving fans another reason to hope Villeneuve gets to fully realize his vision.
Source: EW
