Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 will be Dave Bautista’s final appearance as Drax the Destroyer in a Marvel Cinematic Universe film. With the release of the first Guardians of the Galaxy film in 2014, the MCU offered the former wrestler his breakthrough acting role. After that, Dave Bautista played Drax again in two sequels, two Avengers films, Thor: Love and Thunder, and the most recent Disney+ Christmas special. The latter assisted in paving the way for the team’s reappearance in Guardians of the Galaxy 3, which will serve as James Gunn and the original team’s last MCU feature.
Many Guardians of the Galaxy franchise actors are prepared to leave their roles behind after over ten years in the MCU. Dave Bautista and Zoe Saldana have expressed their dissatisfaction with the superhero movie series. After Guardians of the Galaxy 3, Bautista has announced in a piece for GQ that he will not reprise his role as Drax in any more MCU films. He also discussed his conflicted sentiments toward the job, which he adores but does not want to become synonymous with his legacy.
I’m so grateful for Drax. I love him. But there’s a relief [that it’s over]. It wasn’t all pleasant. It was hard playing that role. The makeup process was beating me down. And I just don’t know if I want Draw to be my legacy – it’s a silly performance, and I want to do more dramatic stuff.
What the future holds for Drax in the MCU after Guardians of the Galaxy 3
Drax’s MCU future after Guardians of the Galaxy 3 may not involve him, as Dave Bautista has hinted over the past year. James Gunn has publicly opposed the idea that Marvel Studios may replace the part, despite the actor’s suggestion. Drax could really make it through Guardians of the Galaxy 3 based on Bautista’s statements. His most recent comments make it apparent why he won’t be playing the part again, despite some people’s hopes to the contrary. With Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and other planned ventures that fit his goals, Bautista is prospering outside the MCU.
It will be much more intriguing to see how Dave Bautista’s portrayal of Drax ends in Guardians of the Galaxy 3, if that is the case. According to several predictions, James Gunn’s film will close with a hint of the MCU’s upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy squad. If Bautista has no interest in coming back until a recast is imminent, Drax cannot be in a position to continue in that way. If Drax’s daughter Moondragon (whom Daniela Melchior may portray) enters the MCU cast, even if he never makes another appearance after Guardians of the Galaxy 3, he might still be represented on the following team.
However, there is still a potential that Dave Bautista will play Drax again following Guardians of the Galaxy 3. He may already be more than prepared to leave the part, but Marvel Studios may be able to persuade him to return if the perfect chance arises in the future. The MCU’s upcoming Avengers: Secret Wars is where Dave Bautista’s Drax is most likely to make his farewell appearance. Otherwise, it looks that James Gunn and the actor are ready to leave the Marvel Cinematic Universe with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.