Glass Onion's Dave Bautista never wanted to be the "next Rock"

"I just want to be a good f**king actor."

By Dan Seddon

7 Jan 2023

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Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery's Dave Bautista has opened up about his acting career.

Following a legendary stint in professional wrestling – he holds the record for the longest streak as a WWE world heavyweight champion (282 days) – Bautista took Hollywood by storm in 2014 via the Marvel Cinematic Universe when he debuted as Guardian of the Galaxy, Drax the Destroyer.

This came after Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson made a similar jump back in 2001 – who can now firmly consider himself box office gold.

"I never wanted to be the next Rock," Bautista recently told GQ. "I just want to be a good f**king actor. A respected actor."

With roles in Blade Runner 2049, Avengers: Endgame, Dune, Spectre, Glass Onion and next month's M Night Shyamalan thriller Knock at the Cabin, respect is definitely out there.

Johnson, meanwhile, has stuck more to blockbuster fare like Black Adam, Jumanji, Fast & Furious and Rampage.

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"I'm afraid of things," Bautista said of his ongoing work in the movies. "I'm nervous about things. But I can force myself to do things that make me uncomfortable, because I know I'm not gonna get anywhere if I don't.

"I may cringe after the fact, but I'm not going to let that fear hold me back."

The star made headlines two years ago after suggesting he'd never be down for a project involving fellow wrestlers-turned-actors.

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Netflix

John Cena, who owns the role of DC's Peacemaker, reacted with: "I'm super sad about that because Dave Bautista is an unbelievably gifted actor. He's done some amazing work.

"But I think when someone makes a statement like that, I think the important thing is to try and look at things from their perspective.

"Dave has worked so hard on his craft. And he is so dedicated to his characters. And really wants to put forth a body of work that gives him his own identity. I 100 per cent understand that."

Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery is now streaming on Netflix.