2020 YEAR-END ISSUE | INNOVATION & TECH TODAY 57
Despite movie delays, Dave Bautistais bigger than ever. ByJoeToppe
FEATURE STORY
From penniless father to world-class wrestler,
from a lover of film to larger-than-life movie
star, Dave Bautista has put in the work. He’s also
a student of the craft, wants to act alongside the
industry’s best, and loves to tell a story through
performance.
He wasn’t always this big though. Bautista was
a shy, gangly kid growing up on the streets.
Since, he’s had to overcome an introverted
personality and the financial hardships of a
young family to get his start.
For the last two decades, Bautista has enjoyed
the life of a six-time WWE wrestling champion,
roles in films like Riddick, Blade Runner 2049,
and the Guardians of the Galaxy movie franchise
as Drax.
While the COVID-19 pandemic has delayed a
long list of movie premieres and episodes from
our favorite theater, Netflix, Apple, or Hulu
feature, the star of Dave Bautista has gotten
brighter.
Recently, Innovation & Tech Today caught up
with him to talk not only about his time as a
wrestling champion and tech interests, but his
upcoming projects like Dune, See, and Army of
the Dead.
Innovation & Tech Today: Can you tell us
how you started in entertainment?
Dave Bautista: It’s not a very glamorous
answer. I needed to make some money because
I was broke. To be honest, there wasn’t much I
was qualified to do. Other than lifting weights, I
didn’t pursue a lot right out of high school. I
loved working out, it was so therapeutic for me.
But closing in on 30 with two kids and no
money, I figured I’d give professional wrestling a
try. It was so hot at the time and I looked the
part, right? Back then, when I told people about
my plans, they looked at me like I was crazy
because I was such an introverted person.
I just didn’t have many options, so I went after
it. And it wasn’t long before I became obsessed
with wrestling. I fell in love with it. I fell in love
with the entertainment side of things.
Although I was shy as a kid, I always wanted to
be one of those flamboyant guys. I still struggle
being in the spotlight. Fame can be a bit
overwhelming for someone like me, but I love
telling stories through performance.I&T Today: Your career is firing on all
cylinders right now with work on Netflix,
Apple, and of course, Dune. What’s the next
year look like?DB: Dune has been pushed to next year.
[Expected Oct. 1, 2021] I understand, and was
anticipating this delay, but I’m like most fans —
I’m dying to see this movie. I also did a film
for Netflix called, Army of the Dead, and it has
been pushed back as well. It is a fun take on
zombies and should be released in the first
quarter of next year.But I am really looking forward to Dune. The
movie means a lot to me and to the fans. It was along journey from Blade Runner to Dune, so it is
personal. I am also back in Canada now because
I am signed up for a TV series called, See, with
Jason Momoa.
In addition, I have something coming out that
I can’t talk about. It’s a project I’ve worked on
now for about four years and has some big
names attached to it. So, I’m sorry I can’t say
anymore because I’m kind of teasing it here.
But it will be a big deal and I think people will
love it. And of course, we will finally be going
into Guardians of the Galaxy 3, and I am excited
to get this done and bring it full circle.
I&T Today: Did you see the original Dune?
Did you take anything from it and add it to
your current interpretation?
DB: No. Not at all. Dune in 2020 is a
reimagining, not a reboot. It won’t even
remotely resemble the original film. The“I love breaking down
stereotypes in characters
and making my performance
change the audiences’
expectations of what a
character is supposed to
look or sound like."Courtesy Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.