How 1 James Gunn Veteran Actor Could Still Play His Dream DC Role Outside The DCU


Summary

  • Dave Bautista couldn’t get his dream DC role in the DCU, but could voice Lex Luthor in animated projects.
  • Bautista discussed aging out of playing Bane while expressing interest in becoming an older Lex Luthor.
  • Other potential DC roles for Bautista include Hugo Strange, Mr. Freeze, Darkseid, and Mongul.



Dave Bautista, the Guardians of the Galaxy’s Drax actor, could get his dream DC role only outside the new DC Universe. While it has yet to start happening frequently, eventually, many Guardians of the Galaxy actors should start being cast in DCU projects. At the moment, Gunn, who directed the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise, has added a couple of Guardians of the Galaxy stars to the first project in the DCU’s Chapter One. The MCU’s Kraglin and Cosmo the Spagedog actors Sean Gunn and Maria Bakalova are part of the animated Creature Commandos, with Gunn playing multiple DCU roles.

Gunn has already commented on how he would not cast Star-Lord actor Chris Pratt and Mantis actress Pom Klementieff as themselves in the DCU due to having specific characters in mind for them. Most of the other Guardians of the Galaxy cast members have commented on what DCU roles they would like to play or shown interest in teaming up with Gunn in future DC projects. One of those is Drax actor Dave Bautista, who has ended his time in the MCU. However, Bautista’s dream DCU role is already taken, but he could still play it in another DC universe.


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Dave Bautista Wants To Play Lex Luthor

Speaking to Screen Rant, Dave Bautista revealed he became obsessed with playing Lex Luthor. For years, Bautista has been one of the most popular picks among DC fans to play the Batman villain Bane. The actor, who has teased that possible casting multiple times in the past, now believes that he has become too old to play the role, saying, “At this point in my career and my life, I just wouldn’t be able to do the character justice.” Bautista thinks the physicality the role demands is something he could have delivered when younger, not now.


However, the MCU’s Drax actor has another role he would love to play at DC. Bautista said that he saw someone online talking about him playing an older Lex Luthor, with the actor becoming obsessed with that idea. The problem is James Gunn cast a young Nicholas Hoult to play Lex Luthor opposite David Corenswet’s Man of Steel in the DCU’s Superman reboot. That affected Bautista, who said he is struggling to find a role in the DCU for him but is “up for anything.” While Gunn could find another DCU character for him, Bautista can still play Lex elsewhere.

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Bautista Could Voice Lex Luthor In Kite Man: Hell Yeah! And Possibly Harley Quinn

The Animated Medium Could Be The Best For Bautista

While it is hard to imagine that another live-action Lex Luthor will debut besides Hoult in the future, as Gunn will keep that medium focused on the DCU’s Superman franchise, Bautista could still play the villain in animated form. That would even let him play another live-action DCU role while fulfilling his dream of playing Lex Luthor, as the character would have to be from outside the DCU. The franchise in question would be the world of the animated series Harley Quinn and the recently released Kite Man: Hell Yeah!


The Mandalorian‘s Giancarlo Esposito is the voice of Lex Luthor in the animated Harley Quinn series. However, the character was recast, with Lance Reddick taking over in Kite Man: Hell Yeah!, which is set in the same universe as Harley Quinn. With Reddick’s tragic passing and Esposito as busy as ever — the actor makes an MCU debut next year in Captain America: Brave New WorldDC could be looking for a new star to become the Lex Luthor of the animated series. Even if Esposito remains in Harley Quinn, Bautista could still play the role in Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

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What Other DC Villains Dave Bautista Could Play In The DCU?

There Are Many Good Options For The Actor


While Bautista will not play Lex Luthor in the DCU, the actor still has quite a few interesting roles available to claim in the franchise. Based on his desire to play an older Lex, Bautista could potentially enjoy the thought of giving life to Hugo Strange in the DCU. The Batman villain is known for the works of his genius intellect and cold stance, which are also characteristics Lex Luthor is popular for. As such, Strange would be a good live-action alternative to Lex for Bautista.

Another possible Batman villain who would not be as physical a role as Bane is Mr. Freeze. The character is also usually portrayed as older and has a very tragic backstory that would have Bautista flexing his acting muscles. Bautista could also end up going for a DCU powerhouse that does not need him to get in top physical shape, as both major villains Darkseid and Mongul could be created with CGI. As such, Dave Bautista could both voice Lex Luthor, fulfilling his DC dream role, and play another character in Gunn’s DCU.


  • Harley Quinn TV Poster

    Harley Quinn

    Developed by Justin Halpern, Patrick Schumacker, and Dean Lorey, Harley Quinn is a Max original series focusing on Harley Quinn, the former therapist led astray by the Joker. The show sees Harley learn that the Joker truly doesn’t love her and decides to find her place in the world without him – and cause a little mayhem along the way.

    Release Date
    November 29, 2019

    Seasons
    5

  • Kite Man Hell Yeah!

    Kite Man: Hell Yeah!

    Kite Man, along with his partner Golden Glider, ventures into the world of business by opening Noonan’s, a dive bar in Gotham’s underworld, shadowed by Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom. The couple balances their criminal exploits with managing the bar, where Gotham’s infamous rogues come to unwind. The series, spinning off from “Harley Quinn,” showcases the humorous and chaotic private lives of these villains, filled with absurd heists and personal drama.

    Cast
    Kaley Cuoco , Keith David , Jonathan Banks , Natasia Demetriou , Lance Reddick , Michael Imperioli , Stephanie Hsu , Judith Light

    Release Date
    July 18, 2024

    Seasons
    1


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