- Dave Bautista said Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is the “perfect outlet” for Drax.
- Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Bautista addressed his latest appearance in the MCU.
- He said he would “never sign on” to another film “just to get a paycheck.”
Dave Bautista said he’s not willing to return as Drax in the Marvel Cinematic Universe just for a paycheck.
Bautista will make his final appearance as the alien warrior in “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” later this year. During his appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” on Tuesday, Bautista addressed his exit, saying he wouldn’t want to “taint” the “perfect” ending by returning.
“Yeah, it’s weird. I don’t know why it’s news,” Bautista said. “This is my seventh movie as Drax. And my third Guardians [movie]. It was like our trilogy. This is what we all signed up for, to make a trilogy. And I think this will be the last version of ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’.”
The “Dune” star added that while it’s “difficult” to leave his first role, it’s the right time to do so.
“It’s the perfect outlet. We all had those perfect character arcs and such a storybook ending,” he said. “I always associate it with how I ended my wrestling career. I ended it on a note in the storybook. And I would never go back and tarnish it. And it’s the same with this.”
Bautista continued: “With Drax, I just managed to finish it off in the perfect way. And I would never sign up for another job like Drax just to get a paycheck. I would taint that and I won’t.”
Last month, Bautista told GQ that it wasn’t “always enjoyable” to play Drax.
“I’m so thankful for Drax. I love him,” the “Glass Onion” star said. “But there is a relief [that it’s over]. It wasn’t all pleasant. It was difficult to play that role. The makeup process was getting to me. 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 things.”
The actor has publicly stated as of 2021 that the third Guardians film would be his last, and tweeted that he was open to reprising the role of Drax.
At the time, James Gunn, who wrote and directed all three Guardians movies and the Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, responded to the tweet saying the actor “could never be replaced.”
Last year, Gunn posted on Twitter that the film will be “Drax’s last film and the end of the story for this group of Guardians.”
(L-R) James Gunn and Dave Bautista at the 2017 premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.
Fraser Harrison/Getty
Drax may not be the only Guardians character exiting the MCU after the upcoming third film. Many fans believe that his teammate, Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), will be lost in the film.
Additionally, Zoe Saldaña told Variety last year that she “wouldn’t be upset” if she didn’t return after “Guardians 3” because of the extensive green makeup that goes into the look of her character, Gamora.
“I miss Gamora, but I don’t miss the 3:30 a.m. phone calls and the five-hour makeup sessions and trips to the dermatologist afterward,” she said.
However, she added that she is inspired when she sees how important her role is to children.
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” opens in theaters on May 5.
