Dave Bautista, renowned for his portrayal of Drax the Destroyer in the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, has expressed a strong desire to move on from the character as the series concludes with the release of Vol. 3 in May 2023. While Bautista’s appreciation for Marvel Studios and director James Gunn is evident, he has openly discussed his disappointment with the direction of Drax’s character towards overt comedy, craving the opportunity to tackle more dramatic material. Thus, it’s intriguing to learn that Bautista is considering a return to the superhero genre, this time in the role of a villain.
In an interview with io9, Bautista revealed his ongoing relationship with Marvel and his admiration for the superhero universe, expressing a desire for a larger and more complex role, possibly as an ominous villain. Marvel’s willingness to cast actors in new roles within the MCU, as seen with Mahershala Ali’s transition from Luke Cage to Blade, opens the door for Bautista to explore new territory within the universe. Furthermore, with the departure of Jonathan Majors, who portrayed Kang, the MCU is in need of a formidable antagonist to challenge the Avengers, presenting an ideal opportunity for Bautista to step into the role.
Bautista’s interest in portraying supervillains is not new, as he has previously expressed a desire to tackle iconic DC villains such as Bane and Lex Luthor. While these opportunities did not materialize, the timing may now be perfect for Bautista to embody the MCU’s version of a character akin to Lex Luthor. Rather than opting for cosmic or multiversal adversaries, introducing a grounded villain like Count Nefaria could provide a fresh dynamic to the MCU narrative. Nefaria, as the head of the Maggia crime syndicate, presents a nuanced antagonist with a public facade of wealth and philanthropy, making him a compelling adversary for the Avengers.
While Count Nefaria may not have the same recognition as characters like Doctor Doom or Galactus, his potential as a formidable Earthbound threat aligns well with the MCU’s evolving storytelling. Additionally, casting Bautista in the role adds a layer of intrigue and star power, further enhancing the appeal of the character. However, Marvel should act swiftly, as Bautista’s ties to the DCU could lead to his involvement in competing projects, potentially limiting his availability for future MCU endeavors.
