Dave Bautista Breaks Through in Rom-Com After Viral Comments
A ctor Dave Bautista is now stepping into the romantic comedy genre, which he had previously said he was never offered. In January 2023, Bautista voiced his frustration to Page Six, wondering if there was something about him that made him undesirable for such roles. His comments went viral overnight and amassed a huge reaction in the industry.
During the Los Angeles premiere of his latest film, The Killer's Game, Dave Bautista shared insights with The Hollywood Reporter about the impact of his recent remarks. "I said that and started getting calls immediately," he noted. "So we've got a couple of rom-coms that we're developing that are actually really funny." He emphasized that these projects will be full-fledged romantic comedies, not just action films with romantic subplots.
In The Killer's Game, Bautista takes on his first romantic role as an assassin who must fend off an army of hitmen after being diagnosed with a terminal illness. The film features a romance subplot with Sofia Boutella, marking his debut as a leading man opposite a love interest.
When asked if the new role was nerve-wracking, Bautista admitted, "It was nerve-wracking for me; I'm hoping people receive it well." He acknowledged feeling a bit conscious about it but expressed that it was an initiative he wanted to pursue. He also discussed his career ambitions, stating, "I want to move forward from the material where I'm playing the supporting role and see if I can create opportunities for myself as a lead." Bautista expressed interest in lead roles not only for personal promotion but also to focus on smaller, independent films.
Sofia Boutella, who starred alongside Bautista in Hotel Artemis, praised his transformation into a romantic lead: "I think it's relatable, and why not? He's great at it. I found him very touching in the film." Pom Klementieff, his co-star in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, remarked, "It is beautiful to see a softer side of him and something cuter and more emotional."
The upcoming romantic comedy represents a significant milestone in Bautista's career as an artist. With future roles spanning various acting genres, this venture into romantic comedy may signal an important turning point for Bautista as he seeks to grow in his career.
