Guardians of the Galaxy franchise star Dave Bautista is getting his own action comedy vehicle. Following a career in both professional wrestling and mixed martial arts, Bautista’s star has risen considerably in the past few years, thanks to a breakthrough performance as the intergalactic outlaw Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014. Hollywood immediately took notice of the strongman’s big screen presence, and he soon landed a key supporting role opposite Daniel Craig as the henchman Hinx in 2015 James Bond film Spectre.

Now, with summer movie smash Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 under his belt and what appears to be another hit with his new film Blade Runner 2049, Bautista is ready to top the marquee with a film franchise all of his own. According to Deadline, STX Entertainment and Bautista have entered into a deal for the actor to develop, star in and produce his own action comedy franchise. No other details were given about the project or any prospective start date.

Right now, it appears the only thing working against Bautista to get his new STX project started is his stacked calendar.  Bautista is no doubt keeping  himself busy with work on The Avengers 4, where he will reprise Drax. In addition, Drax will appear with the other core Guardians in Avengers: Infinity War for co-helmers Joe and Anthony Russo, as well as Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 under the auspices of franchise director James Gunn.

Bautista has also taken advantage of opportunities outside of the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, having recently wrapped roles in the futuristic thriller Hotel Artemis opposite Jodie Foster and Jeff Goldblum, and the action adventure Escape Plan: Devil’s Station opposite Sylvester Stallone. Deadline says he’s starting to develop a following overseas, and has a starring role in a spinoff for the Chinese action drama Ip Man.

At this juncture in his career, going the action comedy route is the perfect option for Bautista. He proved off the bat in Guardians of the Galaxy just how gifted he was at comedy, and he was given an opportunity to ramp it up even more with his laugh-out-loud funny turn (oftentimes taking shots at Chris Pratt’s Star-Lord) in Vol. 2. Plus, given his immense, 6-foot 6-inch frame that he’s built for the action genre, and he’s in terrific shape, to boot. Heading into the STX project, Bautista is the complete package.

Source: Deadline.

  • Blade Runner 2 Release Date: 2017-10-06