Dave Bautista, who previously lobbied to play Batman villain Bane, admits his time to enter the DC extended universe has passed.
In an interview with Insider, the Guardians of the Galaxy and Glass Onion actor explained why younger actors are better suited to flourish in James Gunn’s plans for the DCEU.
“I have had conversations with James about that,” Bautista said, adding that the direction Gunn is leaning in is “completely rebooting that whole universe, he’s starting from scratch and starting younger and fresher and I think you need to do that.”
Bautista added that Gunn should “start with younger actors” and “plan for the next 15 years.”
Bautista also explained that his body likely wouldn’t be able to handle the weight of playing a physically imposing character like Bane.
“I have to say that I appreciate that because I don’t want to play a character that I can’t bring justice to it,” he said. “I don’t think at this point in my career that I can bring justice to Bane anymore. I just don’t know if I could handle the physical part, and I don’t think I would have the longevity to plan ahead for films. So, I just don’t know if I’d be that guy.”
Back in 2021, Bautista met with Warner Bros. executives regarding playing the role of Bane in a potential Batman film.
“I want to play Bane so bad I went to Warner Bros., had an appointment with them, had an appointment with DC, walked in the door and said, ‘I want to play Bane,’” Bautista told Collider at the time. “I’m not kidding. They were a little like. ‘Woah, we’re not even casting Bane.’ I was like ‘I don’t care, I’m playing him.’”
Warner Bros. announced in November that DC Studios, a newly formed division that will replace DC Films, will be led by Gunn and producer Peter Safran. The pair will co-head the film, TV, and animation efforts for the company, which is home to superheroes such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and Superman.
