DC continues to forge ahead with the DC Extended Universe line of films, even as former creative lead Zack Snyder departs for greener pastures. Though the current line of DC films has had a rough go of things, there have been a few solid films as well, and some quality performances that have kept the project alive even against a titan like the Marvel Cinematic Universe. As it turns out, there are still plenty of big-name stars still eager to get their name into Warner Bros.' line of comic book films, and one of those names is Dave Bautista.
Though the former professional wrestler made a big name for himself as Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, it would seem the actor has a soft spot for one particular DC character. According to Bautista himself, his desire to take on the role of one specific DC villain actually inspired him to approach Warner Bros. directly with an offer even they weren't expecting.
For several years now, Bautista has been fairly vocal about his love for Bane, the massive, scheming villain who famously broke Batman's back in the comics and has appeared in various Batman spin-offs ever since. The character hasn't been in a live-action film since Christopher Nolan's The Dark Knight Rises, which had a significantly re-imagined version of the villain face off against Christian Bale's Batman. This incarnation of Bane was portrayed by Tom Hardy and used a mask to subdue the enduring pain of an injury he sustained years ago, as opposed to using it as a means of his enhancing his strength with a drug known as venom.
Recently, Bautista participated in Justice Con, where he helped promote his upcoming film Army of the Dead and talked about which DC character he would've liked to play. Not only that, but he discussed a time where he pitched the idea directly to Warner Bros.: "I want to play Bane so bad I went to Warner Bros., had an appointment with them, had an appointment with DC, walked in the door and said, 'I want to play Bane.' I'm not kidding." It certainly seems like Bautista is pushing hard for the role, even if the opportunity hasn't come up yet.
Unfortunately for Bautista, Warner Bros. apparently made it clear that they weren't even casting Bane at the moment, and weren't looking for anyone. That hasn't slowed him down too much, however, as the actor simply responded, "I don't care, I'm playing him."
Between the outgoing Ben Affleck version of Batman and the upcoming Robert Pattinson version, there doesn't seem to be much room to fit Bane into a schedule already packed with announced villains. Still, that doesn't mean he'll never show up again, so Warner Bros. will hopefully keep Bautista on speed dial in case they ever do decide to start casting the character.
DC's The Batman is scheduled to be released in theaters on March 4, 2022.
Source: Justice Con, Dave Bautista/Twitter