Wrestler, Mixed Martial arts expert, and on-the-rise actor David Bautista will inhabit the role of Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s upcoming interstellar adventure: Guardians of the Galaxy. The film, directed by James Gunn, is set to land next August and looks to transport the popular Marvel franchise into the uncharted depths of space.
News broke yesterday via The Hollywood Reporter detailing how Bautista joined the production and, in turn, fought off strong competition to secure the promising role. Though the WWE star had been on Marvel’s galactic radar for some time, he wasn’t seen as the out and out favourite to be cast. Actors such as Patrick Wade, Isaiah Mustafa and, in particular, Game of Thrones star Jason Momoa, looked to be in contention for the role of the hefty warrior.
Nonetheless, Dave Bautista, a.k.a. ‘Batista’, beat them to the comic ‘POW!’ Following the casting of Chris Pratt as half-human protagonist Peter Quill/Star Lord, Bautista is now the second actor Marvel has drafted.
In the comic book lore, Drax was once a human being, who has been resurrected as a fearsome warrior designed to kill Thanos – thereby dovetailing the film nicely with the ending of The Avengers.
Charting the swashbuckling escapades of the mismatched heroes, Guardians of the Galaxy is the studio’s most daring project yet. Rubbing shoulders with Quill and Drax, the story includes the tree-man Groot, last of her extraterrestrial species, Gamora, and fan favourite Rocket Racoon, a not-so-furry-friend with a peculiar interest in weaponry. I know, I had to read that twice myself.
At its core, the story follows Peter Quill, a U.S. pilot lost at space amidst a universe embroiled in conflict. The hero then joins forces with the aforementioned group of interstellar ex-convicts in the hunt for a sought after alien artefact, which promises to put an end to the galactic chaos.
It’s bold, no doubt. For a studio that has established itself as a reliable source of entertaining and genre-defining films, Marvel is literally reaching for the stars with Guardians. Mind you, with a wealth of cash and fan trust after 2012’s ludicrously successful The Avengers, you have to admire the company’s creative ambition.
The official release date for Guardians of the Galaxy is August 1st 2014. We’ll keep you posted when we hear more.
