Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 has been met with rave reviews thus far, so to learn that one of the sequel’s lead stars didn’t actually like the script the first time he read it is definitely a surprise, to say the least. That’s how Dave Bautista (Drax) felt, though, as he revealed in a recent interview that he wasn’t a fan of what was on the page. At least, not initially.
“I was excited about the script, [but] when I first read the script, I wasn’t crazy about my part. It went a different direction than what I thought they were going to go with Drax. That’s just because I was expecting one thing and got another. So I was a little bit thrown off at first.
Also, what I usually do when I get a script is I read my dialogue first, I just didn’t really get the jokes. I just didn’t think Drax was that significant in the film, and I don’t find myself funny at all. So I remember reading, and I’m just sitting there not laughing. Like, wow, it was disappointing because I thought Drax was going to be so much more.”
Before you start thinking that Bautista’s unhappy with his role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, the wrestler turned actor then went on to explain what ultimately helped him change his mind about James Gunn’s script, and why he realized he was wrong about initially not liking the story arc given to Drax.
“When we sat down for the table read, is when it clicked. It clicked in my head. For one, I could hear everybody doing their own parts, and it was just so funny and deep, and some of it sad. But also, when I would say my lines and people would laugh, it would kind of start to make sense.”
Given how much of the first movie was devoted to Drax dealing with the death of his family at the hands of Thanos and Ronin, chances are Bautista probably expected that to be further explored in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. As it turns out, though, it seems that that’s something which Marvel is saving for Avengers: Infinity War, instead.
Either way, critics haven’t found fault with Drax’s arc in the sequel and his dynamic with Mantis is definitely a highlight of the film. That being said, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 very much puts the focus on Star-Lord and the relationship between Gamora and Nebula, so with any luck, the third instalment will be able to give Drax a bit more of the spotlight.
