Amid Hollywood's post-COVID-19 comeback and the return to theaters, Drax actor Dave Bautista has hit the jackpot.
In addition to starring in Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead and Denis Villeneuve's highly-anticipated Dune releasing later this year, he was just announced as part of the cast for Rian Johnson's Knives Out 2.
But, amid all these new projects, Bautista is just as busy for the MCU as he looks to reprise his role as Drax for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 and, according to him, maybe Thor: Love and Thunder.
BAUTISTA TALKS ABOUT IMPROVISING IN CHRIS HEMSWORTH'S THOR 4
In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bautista talked about filming (or not filming?) Thor: Love and Thunder and director Taika Waititi's style, saying, "he's an improvisational-type actor and he's an improvisational-type director."
Before Bautista commented on Waititi, the actor sidestepped the temptation to confirm his role in the fourth Thor film, saying "I will neither confirm nor deny:"
"Well, assuming that I went to Australia to shoot for Thor 4. I know that Chris Pratt has announced that he’s in Thor 4, but I haven’t heard from anybody at Marvel or Disney where it would be OK for me to say that I was in Thor 4. So I will neither confirm nor deny."
From there, Bautista circled back to the original question which asked whether Waititi compensated the actors with additional content for the effort of filming in Australia during COVID-19.
To that, the actor answered by saying he's "worked with Taika before," and "if you get there and start killing it, he's going to make you a bigger part of the film:"
"But having said that, I’ve worked with Taika before, and so I know Taika’s process. Taika’s process is whatever’s written on page, there’s going to be a dozen more opportunities for you to shine because he’s an improvisational-type actor and he’s an improvisational-type director. So yes, if you have an opportunity to work with Taika Waititi, don’t even be concerned about how small the role is because if you get there and start killing it, he’s going to make you a bigger part of the film. Did that answer your question in a roundabout way?"
The actor was then questioned about a video showing the cast aboard a private jet and how it was said he was heading to Australia for the Chris Hemsworth-starring Thor 4.
In response, Bautista explained his prior disclaimer as "one of those things where I kind of dance around it:"
"Yeah, it’s one of those things where I kind of dance around it because I don’t want to piss anybody at Marvel off. I don’t want to piss anybody at Disney off. And as far as I know, I guess they gave Pratt a go-ahead to announce that he was in the film, but I haven’t heard anything about it. And as far as I’ve heard, they said it’s not OK to confirm that you’re in the film."
While the actor acknowledged that some things are obvious, he also alluded to the fact that there is still some secrecy involving his character's role:
"But obviously, when all the Guardians are on a Disney jet going to Australia and they photograph us walking into the hotel… There are photographs of everybody except for me on set. So because there were no photographs of me as Drax on set, I’ve not come out and said, “Yeah, I’m in Thor 4.”
WILL DRAX SURVIVE FUTURE MARVEL FILMS?
Since Dave Bautista has been out and about doing press for Army of the Dead, he's naturally received a lot of questions about his role in the MCU and what's in store for Drax in Marvel's Phase 4.
But, Bautista's answers are cryptic and even a little worrisome for fans of Drax the Destroyer.
For instance, the actor has already expressed that he's in a weird place with Drax and even claimed that Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will probably be the end of his character.
It's very possible that both Bautista and Drax have only two more MCU films in-store with the Chris Hemsworth-leading Thor: Love and Thunder currently slated for a May 6, 2022 release and the galactic ensemble that is Guardians of the Galaxy 3 on May 5, 2023.
And, to date, every theatrical appearance from the Guardians involves one of their deaths, from Groot in the original film to Yondu in the sequel and even Gamora in Avengers: Infinity War.
Will Guardians 3 will be the end of Drax? Only time will tell.
