Dave Bautista has revealed his frustration about not yet being invited to join James Gunn’s DC Universe collaboration, despite his eagerness to be part of it. As the DC Universe chapter titled Gods and Monsters launched in 2025 with successes like the new Superman movie starring David Corenswet and the revival of John Cena’s Peacemaker series on HBO Max, Bautista remains on the sidelines, awaiting a chance to join the growing franchise.
The new DC Universe timeline has just begun, with several upcoming movies and television shows planned by DC Studios. While some of Gunn’s past collaborators have already been included, Bautista is still waiting for his opportunity to step into Gunn’s superhero world.
Dave Bautista Expresses Disappointment Over Lack of DCU Role
During a recent interview with ScreenRant’s Joe Deckelmeier promoting his movie Afterburn, Bautista spoke candidly about his hopes for working with Gunn again under the DC banner. Known for his role as Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy films, Bautista was nearly cast as Peacemaker for the 2021 film The Suicide Squad. When asked about any talks with James Gunn regarding a DC character role, Bautista responded:
“(Laughs) I haven’t. You know, I check back with them all the time to see, because I want to be in that world. And I don’t want to say I’m disappointed, but I was really just, you know, I was hoping a year or so ago that I would’ve gotten the call from James saying, ‘Hey man, we got something for you.’ But I just keep hearing kind of through the pipeline that they’re thinking about me for something, but I don’t know what it is. And I haven’t heard directly from either James or Peter. But I really want to be in that room, you know, I was hoping to go over there and do something with them, but I haven’t heard anything. And I’m not getting younger.”
—Dave Bautista, Actor
Despite Bautista’s longtime collaboration with James Gunn in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, including the Guardians trilogy and several crossover Avengers films, communication regarding any DC Universe offer has not come directly from Gunn or DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran. Bautista’s remarks reflect his growing impatience as he watches others join the DCU ranks, eager to contribute to the franchise before the window of opportunity narrows.
Current Status of James Gunn’s Expanding DC Universe
With DC Studios still in the early phases of developing its new continuity under James Gunn and Peter Safran, there remains ample opportunity for new additions to the cast. Gunn has brought in several collaborators from his Marvel days, though not all have yet received roles. According to industry insiders, Gunn reportedly has parts in mind for Bautista and other familiar talents but has yet to finalize or publicly announce these projects.
In June 2025, Zoe Saldana, another frequent collaborator of Gunn, shared similar sentiments after remarks from Gunn indicated plans to include her in the DCU. She emphasized that Gunn prefers to take his time crafting projects, suggesting any role offers may be forthcoming once details are locked in, rather than rushed prematurely.
The Broader Context of Bautista’s Position in the DC Universe
As a 56-year-old actor who has recently starred in Afterburn, Bautista’s concerns about timing are understandable. Age can influence casting decisions and the kinds of characters an actor is suited to portray. With several DC films already completed and many more still to launch, there is still room for new faces, especially someone like Bautista who would bring strong presence and experience to a superhero role.
His previous portrayal of Drax—a character known for his physicality and depth—in Marvel’s blockbuster films illustrates his capability to inhabit complex, action-oriented roles, making him a valuable potential asset for the DCU. Should Bautista get the call from James Gunn, the addition would likely bring excitement to fans familiar with their collaborative history.
Meanwhile, Afterburn is set to release in theaters on September 19, providing another showcase for Bautista’s talents during this period of uncertainty regarding his next big franchise move.
Ongoing Growth and Legacy of the DC Comics Franchise
The DC Universe remains one of the most influential comic book franchises globally, frequently competing with Marvel for audience attention. Originally founded as National Allied Publications in 1935 by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson, DC Comics has expanded over decades to include thousands of comic book titles, numerous films, television adaptations, and video games.
The latest era began in 2013 with Zack Snyder’s reboot, introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. However, mixed critical reception led to a soft reboot of the franchise spearheaded by James Gunn and Peter Safran. Their stewardship marks a new chapter for DC, aiming to build a cohesive universe through carefully planned movies and TV projects.
The ongoing James Gunn DCU collaboration is shaping the future of this iconic property, though as Dave Bautista’s experience shows, not all veteran players have secured their place just yet, leaving room for anticipation and potential surprises in the expanding universe.
