While it wasn’t until he hit his 30s that Dave Bautista got his big break in the realm of pro-wrestling, it didn’t take the actor too long to earn himself the status of Animal in WWE. Apart from his personality and charisma, the actor’s huge build was another major factor that contributed to him becoming a force of nature during the Ruthless Aggression Era.
But even though it’s not uncommon for pro wrestlers to maintain brute physiques, since parting ways with WWE, Bautista hasn’t shied away from shifting his weight to fit the required role. However, his recent shift in muscle has fans startled, as it’s a far cry from what fans are accustomed to seeing when it comes to the Animal.
Dave Bautista’s Muscle Loss Has Fans Shocked
Unlike Dwayne Johnson, who continues to maintain his chiseled physique, as it’s now a part of his brand, Dave Bautista opened up about shredding a notable 50 pounds through Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Considering he got huge during his stint in M. Night Shyamalan’s Knock at the Cabin, in which he weighed 300 pounds, the actor used Brazilian jiu-jitsu to lose some of it during his time filming Dune.
But in this process of losing weight with his friend and trainer Jason Manly, he also sacrificed a lot of his muscle, which once defined his run in the WWE.
I was trimming down, and I’ve sacrificed a lot of muscle. But I’m OK with it because I just feel more comfortable.
This is more notable in the Animal’s new photograph at the backstage of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and fans of the Wrestling icon are startled by this drastic shift in his physique.
However, it’s important to keep in mind that unlike Johnson, who refused to fit the Hollywood ways, Bautista has shined as a character actor.
And at this point in the Guardians star’s career, it’s reasonable to see why maintaining muscles is no longer his priority.
Dave Bautista teared up after landing Rabban in Dune
Since breaking out in Hollywood with the role of Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista has been carefully building his filmography after taking Steve Austin’s advice to heart. Moreover, for his brief stint in Blade Runner 2049, which serves as a proper testament to his acting chops, Bautista had to prove to Denis Villeneuve that he was fit for the part.
Like I had to do an audition, a makeup test, and screen test because originally Denis didn’t think I was right for the role, so I really had to prove myself.
Following his dedication to this brief role in one of his most acclaimed films to date, Villeneuve would later call him to cast as Rabban in Dune and later Dune: Part Two. Bautista recalled tearing up by this offer, as he stressed that the call from Villeneuve was really validating.
Dune: Part Two is available to stream on Max.
