Dave Bautista, the retired professional wrestler cum mixed martial artist turned actor, has already won a lot of hearts with his outstanding acting chops and holds no intention to stop anytime soon. Besides being a part of blockbuster franchises like MCU’s Guardians of the Galaxy and Denis Villeneuve’s Dune, he is now looking forward to making his splash in James Gunn’s DCU.
Over all these years, even while he was a part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Drax the Destroyer, Bautista was also closely affiliated by fans to DC villainous characters like Bane and Lex Luthor. But as perfect as he would look in both of these roles (yes, even now), there is one other character that the wrestler-turned-actor was pretty much born to bring to life: Hugo Strange.
Dave Bautista Wants to Join James Gunn’s DCU
Recently, Dave Bautista got into an interview with ScreenRant to discuss his future plans, especially since his tenure as Drax the Destroyer in the Guardians of the Galaxy universe has come to an end. During this, the actor confessed about all the other characters he has forever wanted to play or has been shipped by fans to play throughout this time.
Talking about his own choice first about characters from the DC Universe, he told ScreenRant:
For forever, it was Bane. When I was younger, I wanted to play Bane; it was like a dream role for me. And I got to a point in my career where I just felt like I was just too old to play Bane. I think the physicality of it, at this point in my career and my life, I just wouldn’t be able to do the character justice.
Well, yes, Tom Hardy‘s portrayal of Bane was absolutely commendable in The Dark Knight Trilogy, but having an actor with as diverse and perfect a career as Bautista try his hand at it would be a likable thought as well. However, as the actor himself admitted, at this stage of his 55-year-old life, that role may not be the most perfect for him.
Nonetheless, he has another choice right in front of him; a character he has long been shipped by fans to play: Lex Luthor.
As he continued to confess during the same interview:
And then I saw somewhere online that someone posted something of me playing Lex Luthor; an older Lex Luthor. I kind of became obsessed with that idea.
Okay, yes, Bautista as Luthor would be an incredible idea as well, especially judging from the actor’s beyond-commendable acting skills. However, when it comes to the upcoming rebooted DC Universe, that role has already been scored by Nicholas Hoult.
Thus, he has let go of this respective villain as well and is now struggling to find the perfect role for him. As he admitted:
Obviously, they moved on from that idea, so at this point, I’m struggling to find my place in the DC universe. But I’d really be up for anything.
Judging from his comment and how he claimed he “really just want(s) to work with James again” and land “a major role” with him, it seems like Bautista really is looking forward to joining James Gunn‘s new DC Universe. And, considering their past relationship while working on the GOTG saga, Gunn must be willing to have him on board as well.
But the question remains: If Bautista were to actually step into supervillain gear for this upcoming rebooted version of the DCU, which character must he play? Well, fans seem to have found the perfect answer to that in one of the most famous adversaries of the Dark Knight: The scientist and criminal mastermind Hugo Strange.
Fans are Deeply Rooting for Dave Bautista as Hugo Strange
While Bautista may still be confused while navigating through the more well-known characters from the DC Universe, fans are already seeing him as the most perfect Professor Hugo Strange. A scientist with a brain that exceeds all bounds, Strange uses the most adverse criminal ways to get what he wants, be it a worthwhile fortune from the bank or anything else.
Not only does the Army of the Dead actor hold the physique and physical appearance that best goes the DC supervillain, but even his impeccable acting chops ensure that he could bring out the character the most beautifully if granted the chance. This is why fans just can’t stop shipping him as Strange.
Here’s what they have to say on the matter on X:
Dave, go on Google and search “HUGO STRANGE”. I promise it’ll change your life. pic.twitter.com/UnH31qnWPM
— RJ (@ResonantJustice) July 23, 2024
Hear me out pic.twitter.com/wRKqJrbJOs
— Lukey SZN 🚀 (@LukeConnerton) July 23, 2024
Hugo Strange
Solomon Grundy
Need I continue… pic.twitter.com/5caF6x3Xlc— The Human Rebuild 🤝🏾 (@thehumanrebuild) July 23, 2024
Holy shit he’d be perfect 👍
— ron’s charizard🔥 (@ronk3tchum) July 24, 2024
PERFECT casting and Dave has the acting range for it as well. Best wrestler to enter the acting world imo.
— Liam (@Coachable_) July 24, 2024
@JamesGunn for the millionth and one time, i am asking pic.twitter.com/MaoHlwMSMZ
— black hippy (@trapninanissan) July 23, 2024
The only correct answer! He would KILL this role. He could even wear his little glasses!
— Rex Gadilin (@thepeyotenews) July 23, 2024
This is literally the best move for him in the DCEU
— Keke (@kekedouloveme83) July 23, 2024
Looking at the character from the comics and then looking at Bautista in real life, it isn’t really hard to draw a close resemblance between the two. Plus, since the wrestler-turned-actor had seemingly been looking forward to a villainous role, this could be the perfect job for him.
That being said, both Dave Bautista and James Gunn really do need to open their eyes ASAP and have a meeting over the former being tapped to bring Hugo Grant to life. This is because, after this comparison, no other actor seems to look as impeccable a fit in the role as him.
James Gunn’s DCU will kick-start with Superman, which will hit the theatres on the 11th of July, 2025.
