Dave Bautista Wasn't Originally A Fan Of Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2

After a screening of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 in Nashville, ComicBook.com grabbed several fans as they made their way to the exits to ask them for their review of the new film.

Videos by ComicBook.com

Among the questions being asked to fans was, “Which character was your favorite in Vol. 2?” Several fans said Baby Groot, others picked a more surprising Yondu, but a few had Dave Bautista‘s Drax the Destroyer in their mind as the best part of the film.

For the actor bringing Drax to life in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the fact that fans are finding his character to be the life of the party might be coming as a relief. Upon first reading, Bautista was a little underwhelmed with his character’s role in the film.

Disappointing Script?

Speaking to CBR, Bautista revealed his first impression of the Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 script. On the heels of an excellent experience with the first Guardians of the Galaxy, the actor had high hopes for Drax’s journey in the sequel.

“I was excited about the script, [but] when I first read the script, I wasn’t crazy about my part,” Bautista said. “It went a different direction than what I thought they were going to go with Drax. That’s just because I was expecting one thing and got another. So I was a little bit thrown off at first.”

It didn’t help to read the character’s dialogue which is always completely literal and requires the characters surrounding him to emphasize the humor.

“What I usually do when I get a script is I read my dialogue first, I just didn’t really get the jokes,” Bautista said. “I just didn’t think Drax was that significant in the film, and I don’t find myself funny at all. So I remember reading, and I’m just sitting there not laughing. Like, wow, it was disappointing because I thought Drax was going to be so much more.”

The Click

The worries were quickly curbed for Bautista, though.

When the actor sat down with his director and the rest of the cast, he realized just how epic Drax the Destroyer’s journey would be for his second cinematic adventure.

“When we sat down for the table read, is when it clicked,” Bautista said. “It clicked in my head. For one, I could hear everybody doing their own parts, and it was just so funny and deep, and some of it sad. But also, when I would say my lines and people would laugh, it would kind of start to make sense.”

As the story goes, Bautista began to fall in love with his role in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2.

Drax’s Heartbreak

Speaking to ComicBook.com at a press event for Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Drax actor Dave Bautista revealed his perspective of how his character is really feeling while whipping around the cosmos with his new friends.

“It’s such an ingenious way to tell a story because Drax is so heartbroken over the loss of his family, which we touched upon in the first one, but it’s so amazing that they can tell this story without Drax having to break down but through Mantis’ character because her character is so beautiful and so emotional,” Bautista said. “So, I think it was such an ingenious way to tell the story but not only to tell that story of Drax’s heartbreak but also to build that connection between Drax and Mantis. I mean it’s a really brilliant way to tell a story.”

Not only is Bautista crediting James Gunn’s writing and directing for the scene which adds quite a bit of depth to the pair of characters but he is quick to compliment Klementieff’s acting in the scene. “I have to give credit to that scene to Pom [Klementieff] who is just an amazing actress,” Bautista said. “Her range of emotions is absolutely amazing. She has a strength and that’s delivering a funny line in a deadpan manner but she really has that strength, as well. Across the board, she’s just really talented.”

Credit Where Credit’s Due

The humble actor leaves himself out of the compliments equation but deserves a good bit of props for his work in the film. Between the high energy belly laughs, intense action sequences, and deadpan delivery of humorous lines, Bautista is proving his worth on the big screen.

“Drax, I have to give credit to James Gunn for,” Bautista said. “He’s so brilliant.”

“It was a scene we were doing in the first film where I was laughing during the scene and he wanted me to laugh harder! The louder I got, the harder he laughed. I think just to amuse himself, he wanted me to laugh bigger and louder and the bigger I did I could just hear him laughing hysterically!” Bautista said of constantly bringing energy to the role. “I have a big voice. I’m an introverted person so I just don’t really speak loudly. I do have a big voice, I’m capable, so when I decide I need to bring the sound, I just can!”