Frequent collaborator Dave Bautista is unhappy that James Gunn hasn’t invited him to the DCU yet

Actor Dave Bautista, who has previously worked with James Gunn, reveals that he was hoping Gunn would approach him for a role in one of the projects of the DCU.

In a conversation with ScreenRant, the former wrestler reveals:

"I was hoping a year or so ago that I would’ve gotten the call from James saying, ‘Hey man, we got something for you.’"

Dave Bautista is a well-known alum of Marvel Studios. In multiple films by James Gunn with the studio, Bautista has portrayed Drax the Destroyer. So, after Marvel, the audience are hoping to see Bautista with Gunn in a DCU project as well, but things have not taken shape like that yet.

Keep reading to find out what more Dave Bautista revealed about his feelings about not being part of James Gunn's DCU yet.

Dave Bautista makes his feelings known about not being approached by James Gunn for a DCU project yet

In a candid conversation with ScreenRant, Dave Bautista was asked about the time when, in 2021, in the James Gunn-directed DC film The Suicide Squad, Bautista was nearly locked in to portray the character of Peacemaker in the film, before John Cena was finalized.

So, the actor was asked if there had been any developments or conversations between him and James Gunn about any future collaborations with the studio. Bautista responded by stating:

"I haven't. You know, I check back with them all the time to see, because I want to be in that world. And I don’t want to say I’m disappointed, but I was really just, you know, I was hoping a year or so ago that I would’ve gotten the call from James saying, ‘Hey man, we got something for you.’"

Further, Dave Bautista also mentions that, even though he comes across news of DCU thinking about signing the actor, no direct conversation has taken place between him and the studio.

The 56-year-old actor makes his feelings known by expressing that he is quite eager to work with them, and also how time is passing by, as his statement continues:

"But I just keep hearing kind of through the pipeline that they’re thinking about me for something, but I don’t know what it is. And I haven’t heard directly from either James or Peter. But I really want to be in that room, you know, I was hoping to go over there and do something with them, but I haven’t heard anything. And I’m not getting younger."

Dave Bautista, in his role as Drax, has worked with James Gunn and Marvel for a total of three films, which are Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 (2017), and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2024).

With the studio alone, Bautista has worked with other directors as well, including the Russo brothers and Taika Waititi. In a total of three other films (not directed by Gunn), the actor continued the same character.

It shall be compelling to witness James Gunn collaborate with his frequent collaborator in the Marvel films. Since Dave Bautista already has significant experience working with the MCU, it will all come full circle if the actor lands on a DCU project as well.