Writer-director James Gunn's upcoming Marvel Studios film Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 could mark the end of Dave Bautista's time in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Drax the Destroyer.
During an interview with Digital Spy, Bautista cast doubt on the idea of his Marvel character returning to screens after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, which is currently scheduled to hit theaters on May 5, 2023. Bautista did state that Gunn actually floated the idea of a spinoff film starring Drax and Mantis (Pom Klementieff), which the actor called a "brilliant idea." That said, Marvel hasn't gotten back to Bautista regarding the prospective project.
"I don't think they're very interested, or it doesn't fit into the way they have things mapped out," Bautista said. "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."
Former WWE Champion Bautista joined the MCU as Drax the Destroyer in Gunn's 2014 film Guardians of the Galaxy. He subsequently reprised the role in 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, 2018's Avengers: Infinity War and 2019's Avengers: Endgame. Bautista is expected to return as Drax in the upcoming film Thor: Love and Thunder and Disney+'s Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special, both of which are scheduled for release in 2022, before reprising the role once more for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 in 2023. His other upcoming roles include Scott Ward in Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead and Glossu Rabban in Denis Villeneuve big-screen reboot of Dune.
Written and directed by James Gunn, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is set to begin filming in 2021. It opens in theaters May 5, 2023.
Source: Digital Spy