Over the years, former WWE World Heavyweight ChampionDave Bautistahas made an even bigger name for himself as an action movie star. Although he had a slow start in Hollywood, “appearing in a couple of pride-swallowing direct-to-DVD movies” (ViaBritish GQ), he is currently one of thebest wrestlers-turned-actorsin Hollywood. While other WWE wrestlers have made the jump to acting, Bautista is arguably the most naturally talented and nuanced as a true actor.
Dave Bautista’s action moviesbring a charming balance of fight sequences choreographed to highlight his physical prowess and character work that highlights his acting skills, giving him a compelling screen presence.Dave Bautista’s roster of moviesnow boasts works with critically acclaimed directors like Denis Villeneuve and James Gunn, with his most popular character, the MCU’s Drax, coming to life during work with the latter.
10Spectre (2015)
Bautista Plays Mr. Hinx
The fourth installment in Daniel Craig’s series of films as James Bond,Spectrehas a relatively lower IMDb rating than most of Craig’s other James Bond films, once promptingdirector Sam Mendes to theorize whySpectrefell short ofSkyfall. Despite that,Spectreremains memorable as an action movie, particularly so for Dave Bautista. Exhibiting some of the finest fight choreography in James Bond films, the scene where Mr. Hinx and Bond brawl on the train isn’t easily forgotten.
8.0
7.8
7.3
6.7
Quantum of Solace
6.5
Bautista had already earned admiration as Drax inGuardians of the Galaxyabout a year beforeSpectre’s release, but an appearance in a James Bond filmcemented his presence as a bonafide action starto look out for in the future.Despite having a minor role, Bautista made his presence felt, especially with his impressive physicality in the action sequences.
Spectre
Spectre, released in 2015, is the 24th installment in the James Bond series, starring Daniel Craig as the legendary MI6 agent. As Bond follows a cryptic lead from his past, he uncovers the shadowy organization SPECTRE, while M faces political challenges to protect the secret service’s existence.
9Master Z: Ip Man Legacy (2018)
Bautista plays Owen Davidson
A legacy spin-off based on the characters of Donnie Yen’sIp Mantrilogy which got a final installment after the release ofMaster Z,Master Z: Ip Man Legacyreceived an underwhelming rating on IMDb in comparison to the canonIp Manfilms. For Bautista,it marked a return to the martial arts genre, where he got one of his smaller breaks inThe Man with the Iron Fists.
IMDb ratings forIp Manmovies
7.5
7.0
Master Z: Ip Man Legacy
While it is a lesser-known film,Master Z: Ip Man Legacystands out uniquely among Bautista’s other action movies because it is his only major role in a traditional Asian martial arts film. His background as a martial artist helps Bautista shine in his role. With minimal plot,Master Z: Ip Man Legacyjumps from action scene to action scene, andBautista holds his own in a film where most of the action choreography is styled on Kung Fu, which isn’t traditionally his forte.
Master Z: Ip Man Legacy is a martial arts film directed by Yuen Woo-ping. It follows Cheung Tin-chi (Max Zhang) after his defeat by Ip Man, as he attempts to lead a quiet life. However, he is pulled back into the world of martial arts to fight new adversaries. The film also features notable performances by Dave Bautista and Michelle Yeoh, expanding the Ip Man universe with high-octane action and intricate fight choreography.
8Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017)
Bautista reprises his role as Drax the Destroyer
The second installment in James Gunn’s MCU trilogy based on the band of ragtag heroes,Guardian of the Galaxy Vol. 2focuses on the story of group leader Peter Quill and his strained relationship with his father Ego. While his character doesn’t have a dedicated subplot in the film, Bautista still makes his presence felt as the likable but often socially inept Drax.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2is perhaps the funniest installment in the trilogy, and Drax plays a big part in making that the case. Bautista’s excitable persona as Drax makes it almost seem logical when he claims the solution to fighting a beast with impenetrable skin is to attempt to penetrate the skin from inside the beast. Largely a comic relief character who gets his epic moments of action,Drax is most memorable when delivering deadpan jokesthat fail to land while slashing enemies.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 continues the adventures of Peter Quill and his eclectic crew as they navigate complex family dynamics and revelations about Quill’s mysterious heritage. Set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the film explores themes of family and identity against a backdrop of intergalactic adventure.
7Guardians of the Galaxy (2014)
Bautista first appears as Drax the Destroyer
Bautista’s most iconic role, which took him from action man to movie star overnight, first appeared inGuardians of the Galaxy. The ex-wrestler seems to be in his natural element as Drax the Destroyer, an unemotional and intimidating fighter no one can survive against. However, the role simultaneously pushed Bautista’s boundaries, requiring him to tap into his comedic talents.Drax the Destroyer has some iconic quotesin the trilogy, which are framed as being unintentionally funny; it’s only Bautista’s skill at delivery that spins them comedic.
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Drax’s introduction inGuardians of the Galaxyis originally antagonistic. Bautista shines through as a largely non-verbal character whose physicality is a statement of itself, lurking in the shadows, waiting for the opportunity to strike a killing blow. But by the end of the film, Drax has significantly softened up and even makes a joke at the end.The evolution of the character is believable because of Bautista’s range as a performer.
Guardians of the Galaxy
Guardians of the Galaxy is part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, featuring Chris Pratt as Peter Quill. Abducted from Earth as a child, Quill navigates intergalactic adventures, becoming entwined in a conflict centered on a powerful orb coveted by Ronan the Accuser.
6Avengers: Endgame (2019)
Bautista reprises his role as Drax
One of the biggest phenomenons ever,Avengers: Endgamesmashed box office records on its way to becoming the most popular comic book movie of all time. Despite that, one of theharsh realities to accept aboutAvengers: Endgameis that it is far from perfect. While the original six Avengers have memorable moments in the finalAvengersfilm of phase 4, not all the MCU heroes have their moments to shine.
“The movies of the MCU to that point had been building to Endgame’s epic conclusion, and the film’s unforgettable and irreversible developments in the franchise’s story made it perhaps the most impactful comic book movie of all time.” -Niall Gray-10 Major Realizations I Had Rewatching Avengers: Endgame
Bautista is present inAvengers: Endgameas Drax,but he has minimal screen time. That is an understandable by-product of having nearly twenty-five characters participate in a climactic fight of around thirty minutes, and so it still counts as a major success for Bautista when one considers the impact ofAvengers: Endgameon the world, and especially the cinematic landscape. It is safe to say that theMCU hasn’t been the same sinceEndgame’s release.
Avengers: Endgame
Avengers: Endgame, directed by Anthony and Joe Russo, concludes the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Infinity Saga. It follows the remaining Avengers as they attempt to reverse the destruction caused by Thanos, navigating complex dynamics and forging alliances to restore balance to the universe.
5Dune (2021)
Bautista first appears as Glossu Rabban
The first installment in what could become a large scale sci-fi epic franchise by Denis Villeneuve,Dunemade the critically acclaimed director a household name. Adapting Frank Herbert’s novel on a grand scale with elaborate set pieces and immersive visual effects, Villeneuve mostly focused on setting up the world inDunewith a pacing issue the sequel doesn’t fix. While many characters are underdeveloped and the exposition is overwhelming, Villeneuve does a good job of introducing the characters, which includes Bautista’s Count Glossu Rabban.
Duneis special for Bautista because, as he has fondly recalled, there was a moment in production when he attempted an emotionally-driven performance and Villeneuve approved of it, encouraging the actor to expand his boundaries and be confident in his skill. His physical prowess is still an important factor in breathing life into the short-tempered Count of intimidating stature, but equally important isBautista’s ability to channel rage and add to the fearfulness of Rabban.
Dune
Dunethe big-screen adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seminal bestseller of the same name. A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey,Dunetells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
4Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023)
The final installment in James Gunn’s MCU trilogy,Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3is a tearful love letter of a farewell to the MCU’s most lovable group of heroes from Gunn. Premised on Rocket’s backstory and the return of a character from his past, the film focuses on the bond of friendship that ties the heroes together. It is a masterpiece in pacing and balance, as every character is given their moment to shine. Drax is at his peak of emotional maturity,conveyed both by dialogue and Bautista’s nuanced performance.
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Bautista brings his usual deadpan humor as Drax, but his acting also involves tapping into an emotional side, highlighting how far Drax has come from being an uncaring killing machine to growing into his role as a caring guardian of the galaxy. His choice to stay in Knowhere and practically parent the rescued children shows how he has found a purpose for himself.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3gives a surprise endinglike that to every character, which is Gunn’s way of signing off.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 follows Peter Quill as he grapples with the loss of Gamora while rallying his team to defend the universe. The Guardians face a crucial mission to protect one of their own, with stakes that could alter the fate of the group forever.
3Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
The highest-ratedAvengersfilm on Letterboxd, and the highest-rated on IMDb, tied withAvengers: Endgame,Avengers: Infinity Warhas the greatest endingand is the best of all the MCU films to date. Bringing together all the characters from the individual and group franchises set up since 2008’sIron Man, it is the ultimate showdown of heroism united on all fronts against a world-ending threat. And, of course, in trueGuardians of the Galaxyfashion, Bautista’s Drax and his other teammates are introduced when Thor crashes into their ship while they’re singing “Rubberband Man”.
Rating of Avengers Movies on IMDb and Letterboxd
8.4
4.0
3.9
3.7
3.1
Two of the most iconic moments of Bautista’s career as a movie star can be found inAvengers: Infinity War. The first of them is when he claims he has learned to stand still and move so slowly that he becomes invisible to everyone around him. There is no basis to his claim, buthis sincere belief further cements Drax’s presence as a comedic gift.Bautista’s comic timing shines through even more in the second instance, when he seriously shouts “Why is Gamora?” after the characters have been questioning each other about who and where she is.
Avengers: Infinity War
Avengers: Infinity War brings together the Avengers and their allies to face a new threat from the cosmos, Thanos, who seeks to collect the Infinity Stones. The film, part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, unites numerous superhero characters in a battle to prevent Thanos' ambition of altering reality itself.
2Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Bautista plays Sapper Morton
Denis Villeneuve went from making 2016’sArrival, where he introduces sci-fi elements on Earth, to designing a fictional world and bringing his own vision and vibe to theBlade Runneruniverse witha legacy sequel 35 years after the release of the original film by Ridley Scott. It focuses on the story of a replicant K, played by Ryan Gosling, who attempts to find out his origin. One of the earliest scenes shows him retiring Dave Bautista’s character Sapper Morton.
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Sapper is agreat character with next to no screen time. Bautista’s performance however stands out in the 5-odd minutes that he appears for. Despite having enough elements of action to be classified as a sci-fi action thriller,Blade Runner 2049gives Bautista a role that relies on his emotionality rather than his physicality as an actor. His character is an exhausted veteran whose state of affairs reflects on the strained relationship between humans and replicants and thematically sets up K’s journey.
Blade Runner 2049
Set thirty years after the original film, Blade Runner 2049 is a sci-fi neo-noir film by the director of Dune, Denis Villeneuve. The film follows LAPD replicant officer K, who discovers a devastating secret that could throw society into total chaos. To stop a potential war between replicants and humans, he’ll need to locate missing former blade runner Rick Deckard and uncover the truth.
1Dune: Part Two (2024)
Bautista’s final appearance as Beast Rabban
Picking up from the scene whereDuneended,Dune: Part Twois more focused on character journeys and plot points, thus making it more immersive than the previous installment. The themes become more apparent as the characters are fleshed out better, and Villeneuve’s success as a director can be seen in the way it became a phenomenon, even prompting the Ryan Golsing starterFall Guyto parodyDune.Bautista appears as the ruthless Rabban again, but this is the last time he does so, as his character meets a much-deserved brutal ending.
“It’s an epic science-fiction tale told in a visual language that is both uncomfortably intimate and imposingly grand, a terrifying thing that you can’t look away from and perhaps one of the best book-to-screen adaptations of all time.” -Graeme Guttmann-Dune: Part Two Review — Denis Villeneuve’s Sequel Is A Dread-Inducing, Awe-Inspiring Sci-Fi Tragedy
Perhaps his greatest achievement as an action movie star, Bautista makes a mark as both an action man and a nuanced actor, leaning into the unhinged nature of Rabban’s persona to fuel the intense action scenes and fight sequences inDune: Part Two. He holds his own in a film with veterans like Javier Bardem and Stellan Skarsgärd. It will be interesting to see where Bautista takes his career and if we will get to see filmmakerDave Bautistaas he’s expressed interest in directing films himself.
