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Dave Bautista isnt a Vegas guy.
Is there a trick to playing badass and warmth in equal measure?
Im always looking for the opposite.
It was something that I learned about myself in professional wrestling, and its been the same in film.
So, I do little things.
When I carry myself, I dont always have my chest out or have pumped-out arms.
I dont want to look like an action figure.
Youve become Hollywoods go-to guy when studios need a character to help anchor their action movie.
Why do you think youre so in-demand?
I think it has a lot to do with the way Ive been building my career.
It has a lot to do with the way Ive built relationships and proven myself.
I have proven that I can deliver.
I dont need to be a lead, I dont need to have a big part in a film.
I will literally play any part as long as the characters interesting or Im working with interesting people.
I feel like theres definitely a Dave Bautistatype character now.
I see that archetype in modern movies.
I guess the argument could be made either way.
You could look at people who are playing the action hero roles who wouldnt typically be in those roles.
Maybe thats simply because theyre big names and are being cast in those roles.
But the other argument is: Look at The Rock.
He looks the part, he is That Guy, and hes the biggest movie star in the world.
So, I think I fit right in that mold, or right in between those molds.
We just dida whole story on how Zack Snyder put Tig Notaro into the movie in post-production.
It was weird, because, you know, I wasnt there.
And when I watch it, I feel like Iwasthere.
Theres a connection thats missing there.
But I dont feel like the movie misses a beat.
Anybody who doesnt know that thats the case wont pick up on it at all.
Tig fits right in, and her chemistry fits right in.
What really bothers me, when I watch this film it bothers me that I dont know Tig.
I feel like I should know her.
I think shes amazing and is incredible in the film.
Audiences recognize and get excited about a Snyder or a Gunn movie.
As an actor, do you feel that when youre on the set?
Definitely, without a doubt.
Its almost hard for me to speak about Zacks style.
With a lot of stuff when I do Marvel, its just very structured.
And James Gunn is a very different director.
We typically are very directed by James.
We are very structured, but also at the same time, he gives us freedom.
Whereas Zack he gave me more freedom than any director Ive ever worked with.
And then its possible that Rian Johnson might be on his way to being another of those directors.
Is there anything you’ve got the option to tell us about theKnives Outsequel?
I want to get some of that direction.
You made some headlines recently when you said youd probably retire from playing Drax afterGuardians of the Galaxy Vol.
I dont think its a problem, because the Marvel library is so extensive.
Theyre gonna have material to draw from for well after Im dead and gone.
I know Disney has purchased Fox, and the X-Men have a whole extensive life ahead of them.
Thats going to be a whole new universe.
Their library is just too extensive.
Theres so much there that theyll never run out of material or actors or superheroes.
When theyre past that, people will look back and just reboot stuff.
Last question: Whats your strategy if the zombie apocalypse starts?
I think Id be okay.
But that stuff also works for zombie apocalypses.
I have a hurricane shelter, I have a big gate and trucks and jeeps with four-wheel drive.
I have a thousand-gallon generator, which would last me a long time.
I have some food stored away.
I think Id be okayinitially… its long-term that Id have a few concerns.
This interview has been edited and condensed.
