Dave Bautista Rules Out Return as Drax in Marvel Cinematic Universe

Image credits: Disney

Dave Bautista has provided a disappointing update to Marvel fans by ruling out a return for his beloved character Drax. Drax the Destroyer first appeared in Guardians of the Galaxy as an intergalactic warrior, seeking revenge against the man who killed his family. The character quickly became a fan-favourite, returning for two Guardians of the Galaxy sequels and a holiday special. Bautista also featured in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder, but exited the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2023 in order to pursue more dramatic roles.

Though it's not unheard of for stars to return to the MCU, Bautista has confirmed he won't be reprising his role as Drax for a potential Guardians of the Galaxy 4. The actor revealed that he would be open to rejoining the MCU in a different role, which Robert Downey Jr recently proved possible with his surprise comeback as Doctor Doom. Bautista made his Marvel debut with the Guardians of the Galaxy in 2014 and reprised the role of Drax for the next two Guardians films and a holiday special, plus Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Thor: Love and Thunder.

Ahead of the third film's release in 2023, Bautista made it known that it was his final outing as the "silly" Drax as he wanted to pursue more dramatic roles. Today, he still remains firm with this position. "Drax is completely closed to me. Unless James Gunn called me and asked if I would do something as Drax again, I just wouldn’t be interested," he explained, alluding to Gunn's new position as the head of DC Studios. Bautista is open to taking on a different character at Marvel or DC, citing his love for comic books and the superhero genre, as well as his desire to work with notable directors such as James Gunn and the Russo brothers.

Some of the notable Marvel movies and shows that Bautista has been a part of include:

• Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
• Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
• Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
• Avengers: Endgame (2019)
• Thor: Love and Thunder (2022)
• The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special (2022)

These movies and shows are all part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which has become a cultural phenomenon in recent years. Bautista's decision to leave the MCU has sparked a lot of discussion among fans, with some speculating about the future of the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise.

Marvel Studios is working on a fifth installment of the Avengers, which is expected to be released in 2026. However, it is unclear if the Guardians of the Galaxy characters will be involved. Bautista's exit from the MCU has left a void in the franchise, but his openness to playing another character in the Marvel or DC universe has given fans hope that he may return in a different role. With his versatility as an actor and his passion for the comic book genre, Bautista is sure to have a successful career in the entertainment industry, whether it's in the MCU or beyond.

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