As impressive as Hulk Hogan might have been inSuburban Commando, Rian Johnson is namingDave Bautistaas the best wrestler-turned-actor in Hollywood. Recently, Johnson was able to work with Bautista for theKnives OutsequelKnives Out: A Glass Onion Mystery. The film is now available on Netflix where it’s been garnering strong reviews, ranking high with both critics and audiences alike at Rotten Tomatoes; its Tomatometer score and audience score are both sitting at 93%.
A lot of the praise forGlass Onionis going to its ensemble cast, and Bautista has been a standout performer for many. Speaking about the film in a new interview withThe Atlantic, Johnson notes how Bautista was also the actor who surprised him most of all with his performance. Bautista’s character was originally written as someone much smaller who was “overcompensating,” but Johnson was enamored by the casting once Bautista’s name was brought up.
“When I was writing [his character, a men’s-rights streamer named Duke Cody], I was picturing a scrawny dude who’s trying to overcompensate. When Bautista was brought up, I was instantly so smitten by the idea. I’ve been a very big fan of his dramatic chops as an actor.”
Johnson has been so impressed with Bautista that he’s predicting more good things to come for the former WWE Superstar. When interviewer David Sims referred to Bautista as “low-key the greatest wrestler-to-actor ever,“Rian Johnsonhad this to say in response.
“I absolutely 100 percent agree. And I think somebody like [Paul Thomas Anderson] is going to give him a real part and is gonna look like a genius. As a person, Bautista is genuinely, immediately vulnerable when you meet him, and that’s what I was excited about. This is someone who has the physical trappings of someone who would play it big, but he actually brings sensitivity to the role.”
Related:Rian Johnson Hates That ‘Knives Out’ Is in Glass Onion’s Official Title
Dave Bautista Has Been Getting Praise
Other filmmakers have also seen the potential in Bautista. Courtesy of James Gunn, he previously made a big splash in Hollywood with his role as Drax inGuardians of the Galaxy, a part he will return to once again for the upcoming threequel. Denis Villeneuve and Zack Snyder have also recently given Bautista notable roles in their respective filmsDuneandArmy of the Dead. M. Night Shyamalan has been among the latest filmmakers to turn to Bautista for a role by casting him for the upcoming thrillerKnock at the Cabin.
Clearly, Bautista is here to stay in Hollywood, and the roles will continue to be sent his way for some time to come. For now, fans can check out his latest performance inGlass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery, now streaming on Netflix.
