Dave Bautista turned down Fast & Furious role for Gears Of War: “I don't want to pretend I'm actually interested in something I’m not"
Dave Bautista turned down a role in the Fast and Furious franchise for Gears of War.
Speaking to Collider, the wrestler-turned-actor shared that he opted to star in Netflix's adaptation of the video game saga over the Vin Diesel-led carmageddon series.
“I don’t mean to offend anybody. I’m not putting down anything else, I’m just saying [Gears] is way more interesting to me," said Bautista.
“I don’t want to pretend like I’m actually interested in something I’m not, when there’s something I’m actually really excited about that you guys have under control. Would you consider me for that?”
The actor, who's currently starring in the doomsday thriller Knock at the Cabin, added: “I don’t think there’s any harm in that. I’m not trying to step on anybody else’s toes, I’m just saying like this is what I love and I’m seriously passionate about this. I can do a good job for you guys on this.”
Another role he would love to take on is Batman's arch-nemesis, Bane.
He told the outlet: “I think I could bring an interesting twist to it, and I think I could do the character justice.
“Not only in performance but also in physicality."
On what his version of the DC character would be like, he added: “I’d love that role where I’d have to go back up to 320 pounds just to play this character, like that it would happen. I could… play Bane in a way that’s not only menacing and ominous but also freakishly intelligent.”
However, it's not a role he will likely end up nabbing.
Fans thought the opportunity could well arise after his Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn took charge of DC Studios, but Bautista insisted the villain should be portrayed by a "younger and fresher" actor.
He said: "I have had conversations with James about that but I think the direction he's leaning in, completely rebooting that whole universe, he's starting from scratch and starting younger and fresher and I think you need to do that."
He told Insider: "I think for the DC Universe to be revived, you need to start from scratch, and I think you need to start with younger actors.
"You need to start to plan for the next 15 years, and I just don't think you can do that with me. And I understand that. And, also, 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.
"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."
No word on when Gears of War will commence production. Meanwhile, Bautista will return in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on May 4; Knock at the Cabin is still in cinemas. Fast X hits the big screen on May 18. — BANG SHOWBIZ
Photo: TPG News/Click Photos
