Dave Bautista Talks ‘The Killer’s Game’ Romance and How ‘Dune: Part Two’ Repurposed ‘Dune’ Footage

It wasn’t the motion that piqued Dave Bautista’s curiosity in The Killer’s Sport; it was the possibility to play a correct romantic lead for the very first time. Like numerous actors, Bautista is most intrigued by the roles that frighten him, and so the possibility to play lovestruck murderer Joe Flood was one thing he’d been dedicated to intermittently since 2019. Primarily based on The Killer’s Sport novel by Jay Bonansinga, Flood is recognized with a neurodegenerative mind situation that leaves him with solely months to reside, so he takes out a contract on his personal life in order that the love of his life, Maize (Sofia Boutella), can gather his life insurance coverage coverage. The rub is that he was misdiagnosed by three totally different labs and it’s too late to cancel stated contract. 

The movie adaptation of The Killer’s Sport has gone by way of almost three many years of growth, as names like Wesley Snipes, Michael Keaton and Jason Statham all got here and went. Nevertheless, the mission lastly gained steam when Lionsgate acquired the distribution rights in a strike-ridden 2023 and connected Day Shift director J.J. Perry to helm the action-comedy in Budapest by means of a SAG-AFTRA interim settlement. 

However realizing that Perry was coming off a Jamie Foxx-led vampire motion pic and had lower his tooth within the stunt and second unit worlds alongside John Wick co-mastermind Chad Stahelski, Bautista was apprehensive at first that he and Perry wouldn’t see eye to eye on the romantic thrust of the movie. 

“When we first talked to each other, before I said anything, [Perry] was like, ‘Look, man, the greatest thing about this, and what’s going to set us apart, is the romance at the heart of this story.’ And I then let out this huge sigh of relief. I was like, ‘Thank, God,’” Bautista tells The Hollywood Reporter. 

The following impediment was casting the best Maize, and Bautista had at all times envisioned Boutella within the function of the completed ballet dancer who turns into Flood’s girlfriend. The 2 actors met on Drew Pearce’s Resort Artemis set, and whereas they didn’t work together on display screen, they turned quick associates within the make-up trailer. He even endorsed her Insurgent Moon casting to Zack Snyder when the director first requested for his opinion of her on the 2019 set of Military of the Lifeless. Finally, Bautista turned so insistent on Boutella’s casting that he wouldn’t let her scheduling battle get in the best way.

“They brought forth other actresses, and I just kept turning them down, saying, ‘No, I just can’t wrap my head around anybody else other than Sofia,’” Bautista shares. “So then I said, ‘Let’s not look for another actress. Let’s just try to move schedules around so we can make Sofia work.’ It took a lot of doing from producers and agents and managers, and Sofia being willing to fly back and forth from Budapest to London while she was on two projects.”

Bautista additionally had a hand in his Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 and Vol. 3 castmate Pom Klementieff signing on because the chief villain, Antoinette, and whereas he’s desperate to reunite with extra of his fellow Guardians outdoors of the MCU, he does lament the shortage of closure he skilled upon wrapping his tenure as Drax.

“I wouldn’t say I miss [Drax]. What I do miss is the family environment. It’s hard knowing that we will never be on set together again. Me, Chris, Zoe, Pom, Karen, Sean Gunn, James Gunn — it’s never going to happen again. It’s hard to live with that,” Bautista admits. “Our last night filming was here in Hollywood, and we wrapped at 3 or 4 in the morning. And then I literally had to run to the hotel, get my bags, jump on a jet and fly to Philadelphia to start Knock at the Cabin two days later. I was then on another film, and I didn’t do press or make the premiere for Guardians 3. So there’s just a huge part of me that feels like there was no closure. I never really got to say goodbye to that character and that cast, and there’s always going to be some sadness involved when I start thinking about that.”

Bautista can be shedding gentle on a few of the Dune: Part One deleted footage that was repurposed in Dune: Part Two. Towards the top of Part One, when Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård) is recovering from his close to dying in an oil-like mud tub, Bautista’s Rabban is given his marching orders by his uncle to ramp up spice manufacturing and kill the Fremen. In Part Two, when Rabban inevitably fails, he’s proven standing outdoors his uncle’s door because the Baron angrily kills his two nurses in response to his nephew’s failings. Effectively, that scene was truly shot throughout Part One’s principal images. And upon additional inspection, the next second by which Rabban heads inside to face his uncle seems to even be recycled or unused footage from that authentic bathtub scene in Part One. (New ADR and an insert of the 2 lifeless nurses have been possible added.)

Bautista additionally confirms that he and Josh Brolin by no means filmed the scene by which Rabban slices Gurney Halleck’s face, leading to a scar that the latter references in Part Two as being Rabban’s doing.

“We never filmed anything together [on Dune: Part One]. Originally, that last fight scene [in Dune: Part Two] was supposed to be a big drawn-out fight scene, and as we were filming, Denis decided that, at that point, after everything that had happened, it would have just been gratuitous action. He just didn’t want to go there, and we shortened it to what it became,” Bautista says.

Under, throughout a latest dialog with THR, Bautista additionally discusses his ambition of contending for an Oscar sometime.

The Killer’s Sport has been in growth for almost 30 years, and you’ve been connected to it since 2019. What made you cling on to this by way of all types of obstacles the final 5 years? 

Effectively, I had it years and years in the past, and for some time, it went away and modified studios. So, to be sincere with you, I sort of forgot about it. I had moved on, and then it simply got here again to my consideration with J.J. Perry connected. So all the pieces got here again about why I like this character and why I like the script and why I assumed it was a lot enjoyable and why I wished Sofia to play Maize. When it first got here my means, I wasn’t on the lookout for motion movies, however the coolest factor about this was that it was actually a romance disguised as an motion movie. Romance was on the coronary heart of the script, and that actually made this totally different and enjoyable and attention-grabbing to me.

So when it got here again round, I nonetheless actually cherished the romance that’s on the coronary heart of this movie, however I used to be afraid as a result of I knew J.J. from his motion and second-unit background. I had solely seen one movie [Day Shift] he directed, and I assumed that he was going to make this one large motion movie, which wasn’t what I wished. I used to be, once more, not on the lookout for motion movies. 

However once we first talked to one another, earlier than I stated something, he was like, “Look, man, the greatest thing about this, and what’s going to set us apart, is the romance at the heart of this story.” (Laughs.) And I then let loose this large sigh of aid. I used to be like, “Thank, God.” And from there, my relationship with J.J. simply received higher and higher and higher, and I spotted that we have been so on the identical web page. In order that’s what I at all times cherished about it, and that’s what I nonetheless love about it. The power of the film is the connection on the heart.

The montage the place Joe and Maize fall in love presents a really totally different aspect of you. Did that intimidate you in any respect? 

The entire movie intimidated me. (Laughs.) It was a complete new endeavor. I’ve by no means actually performed such a character. I’ve by no means actually performed the romantic lead. I’ve by no means performed these items. I’ve by no means been the man who kicks ass and says cool stuff and then will get the woman on the finish. So it was a real main man function, so I used to be self-conscious and nervous about the entire thing.

You and Sofia didn’t work together on display screen in Resort Artemis, however the two of you might be Zack Snyder’s most up-to-date lead actors. Did you bond over that in any respect? 

I’ve identified Sofia since Resort Artemis, and whereas we didn’t work together on digicam, we received alongside nice off digicam. I noticed her so much on set, and we sat proper subsequent to one another within the make-up trailer. So I actually appreciated her from day one. She’s not solely a lovable individual, however she’s additionally simply so low upkeep and not pretentious. She’s simply actual and grounded, and she’s so grateful to be there. She additionally has a bodily background like I do. She transitioned into appearing from dancing; I transitioned into appearing from wrestling. We each made a residing with our our bodies earlier than shifting into this new profession the place we needed to show ourselves as performers. So we share numerous widespread emotions so far as our backgrounds, and we stayed in contact by way of the years. 

Truly, after I was on Military of the Lifeless, I bear in mind Zack mentioning Insurgent Moon, and he requested me what I considered Sofia. So I informed him about my experiences together with her and how a lot I cherished her. I clearly didn’t have something to do together with her casting, however he did ask me about my opinion of her as an individual. So it was nothing however love and hugs and kisses as a result of these are my true emotions about her.

However I by no means noticed anyone else however Sofia within the a part of Maize. From the very first day I received the script, I began mentioning her title all the best way up. Throughout casting, I stated, “I just can’t see anybody else,” however there was a scheduling difficulty together with her. In order that they introduced forth different actresses, and I simply saved turning them down, saying, “No, I just can’t wrap my head around anybody else other than Sofia.” So then I stated, “Let’s not look for another actress. Let’s just try to move schedules around so we can make Sofia work.” It took numerous doing from producers and brokers and managers, and Sofia being keen to fly again and forth from Budapest to London whereas she was on two tasks. Nevertheless it was at all times Sofia, and it was at all times meant to be Sofia. I couldn’t see anyone else within the function.

The Dolly Parton line, “Don’t get so busy making a living, that you forget to make a life,” is an underlying theme of this film. Is that one thing you’ve needed to remind your self of all through your profession? 

No. (Laughs.) If I gave that recommendation to somebody, I’d be a complete hypocrite. I at all times make my profession a precedence and I’m unapologetic about it. It sounds very egocentric after I say it out loud, however my profession is first. It’s my precedence. Every little thing else takes a backseat. Once more, it sounds egocentric, however with out my profession, I can’t present for my household. With out my profession, I can’t purchase my mother a home. With out my profession, I can’t be sure that my son’s training is paid for. With out my profession, I can’t attempt to change the long run generations of my household. So I’ve to make it a precedence, and everyone I like and am near understands that. They know why I’m doing it. I’m doing this with a goal. I’m not doing this for egocentric causes. I’m doing this as a result of I’ve now constructed an organization and I’ve received individuals relying on me. They’re making their livelihood by way of my arduous work, and I’ve to look ahead and put blinders on. If I don’t, then different persons are going to undergo for it. 

So I don’t have a look at it as a egocentric factor. I have a look at it, like, “We are all in this together. I need you to support me. I need you to believe in me. I need you to let me go and do this, and make this the focus of my life.” So it’s unhappy, however my profession is my precedence, and everyone else understands. And I do know that they love me for it, which makes me need to work tougher for them. So I don’t do that all for myself. I’m constructing lives for different individuals as properly. If you begin using individuals and you’ve gotten individuals which are relying on you for his or her livelihood, then it’s a complete totally different kind of strain. It modifications your perspective on life. After I know that my son is relying on me to set him up for the remainder of his life, his youngsters could have higher lives than I did due to it. So I’ve to make this my precedence. I’ll find time for all the pieces else, however I’ve this one alternative and this one life to vary issues for my youngsters, my grandchildren and their youngsters. That is my one shot.

Pom Klementieff’s function jogs my memory of when Karen Gillan was forged in your film Stuber. Each films have a fellow Guardian within the combine. Did you perform because the casting director in Pom’s case? 

(Laughs.) Once we began throwing round names, particularly for Antoinette, Pom got here up, and my first query was, “Can we afford Pom?” In fact, I wished her there, and as soon as I came upon what we have been going to be working with, then that’s after I might begin, as a producer, saying, “Well, if we need more money, I will take less money. I’ll contribute more money. I’ll go out of pocket for money if we find out that she’s available and willing to do the role.” I need to work with all my Guardians castmates outdoors of Marvel. I’ve gotten to work with Karen, which was loopy thrilling for me. Now I’ve gotten to work with Pom, and I need to work with Chris [Pratt] and Zoe [Saldana] as properly for private causes. It feels good. They’re household to me. So at any time when I can work with them, I’m pleased, nevertheless it’s simply such a special factor working with them outdoors the Marvel universe.

I final spoke to you for Military of the Lifeless, and on the time, you have been very a lot wanting ahead to closing the e book on Drax. Effectively, now that you simply’re a year-plus faraway from Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, do you miss the man in any respect?

No, I wouldn’t say I miss him. What I do miss is the household atmosphere. It’s arduous realizing that we’ll by no means be on set collectively once more. Me, Chris, Zoe, Pom, Karen, Sean Gunn, James Gunn — it’s by no means going to occur once more. It’s arduous to reside with that. I additionally by no means actually had closure on that a part of my profession. Although it’s gone and previously, I by no means received to say goodbye to everybody. I by no means received to go to the premiere and have enjoyable with everyone and cry and say goodbye. I by no means received that. 

My final evening on Guardians was truly [The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special]. We shot Guardians 3 and the Vacation Particular concurrently. So our final evening filming was right here in Hollywood, and we wrapped at 3 or 4 within the morning. After which I actually needed to run to the lodge, get my baggage, soar on a jet and fly to Philadelphia to start out Knock on the Cabin two days later. So I by no means actually received to say goodbye to everybody. I received rushed off set to a different movie. I used to be then on one other movie, and I didn’t do press or make the premiere for Guardians 3. So there’s simply an enormous a part of me that seems like there was no closure. I by no means actually received to say goodbye to that character and that forged, and there’s at all times going to be some disappointment concerned after I begin fascinated with that.

In Dune: Part Two, Rabban has a showdown with Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck, and earlier within the film, Gurney references the scar that Rabban gave him off-screen throughout Dune: Part One’s assault on Home Atreides. Was that second a part of the footage that didn’t make it into Part One? Did you ever shoot that violent second between them? 

No, we by no means did. Even in rehearsals for the primary movie, I by no means made it [on-camera] with Josh. I don’t suppose we have been ever on a set collectively. We have been there [in Budapest] collectively, however we by no means filmed something collectively. Initially, that final combat scene [in Dune: Part Two] was presupposed to be an enormous drawn-out combat scene, and as we have been filming, Denis determined that, at that time, after all the pieces that had occurred, it could have simply been gratuitous motion. He simply didn’t need to go there, and we shortened it to what it turned. In order that was the one change we made so far as that combat scene goes, however there have been scenes from the primary movie that did make it into the second movie. That simply wasn’t certainly one of them. 

Are you able to title an instance? 

There was one half the place [Rabban] was standing at a doorway listening to the Baron simply rip individuals aside. He heard screams as he was standing outdoors the door. So he very nervously, very sheepishly awaits to go inside, however I truly filmed that on the primary movie.

J.J. Perry acquired certainly one of your customized title belts. Does one exist with the title Villeneuve on it? 

I don’t know the way he’d really feel about that. Denis received’t even high-five me. (Laughs.)

Actually? 

Yeah, I went to high-five him at some point, and he went, “No, no, no, no, no.” And the rationale he received’t do it’s as a result of he doesn’t need to look awkward if he misses your hand. (Laughs.) He has a really enjoyable humorousness, however I don’t know the way he would really feel about wrapping a world heavyweight championship round his waist.

“I deeply love it.” 

(Laughs.) I like listening to that from him. It’s such a validating factor to listen to from him.

You talked about it earlier, however certainly one of my favourite movies from final yr was Knock on the Cabin. It is perhaps my favourite efficiency of yours thus far. What did you show to your self on that one? 

I proved to myself that I might work underneath strain. If I might return and try this yet again, which, man, I might love the chance … I additionally actually, actually need to work with M. Evening Shyamalan once more. However, like I stated, I wrapped the Guardians Vacation Particular very early on a Friday morning and instantly flew to Philly to start out filming Knock on the Cabin on Monday morning. So I had zero time to organize for that movie, and it had such in depth dialogue that I actually struggled to memorize all of it. 

It was additionally a slow-moving course of. We shot with one digicam on movie, so it was very gradual. On a great day, we have been capturing for 15 hours, however after that 15 hours, I’d run residence to study my dialogue for the subsequent day. So I simply want that I might have been higher ready for that movie. Fortunately, I had a really affected person and very supportive director. It’s simpler once you’re capturing digitally since you’re not burning up movie. However when you’ve gotten the strain of not desirous to waste movie and you’re making an attempt to memorize all this dialogue, it’s simply excessive strain. So I discovered I’m a recreation participant and that I can work underneath very excessive strain.

You’ve at all times been your individual worst critic, however the checklist of acclaimed filmmakers you’ve labored with is a mile lengthy now. Do you lastly imagine what everybody else believes about you and your capability? 

I like listening to that individuals suppose extremely of me. It feels good. And once you say it, it makes me emotional. It’s very validating. I like appearing. It’s an understatement after I say how a lot I like it. So to listen to that individuals suppose extremely of you or they respect you, it feels nice, however the factor that bothers me is that I don’t really feel like individuals have seen the perfect of me. I don’t really feel like I’ve seen the perfect of me. I really feel like I will be higher. I really feel like I would like that mission. I would like that director to problem me and deliver that out of me. And I’ll overtly say that I need to be in award conversations. I need to be that caliber of actor, however I don’t know the way I will be extra proactive in making an attempt to get these roles. I’ve these conversations with my brokers day-after-day. I actually need to be considered in that gentle. So I’m actually pleased and proud to listen to that, however I hope that individuals haven’t seen the perfect of me. I nonetheless have so much to supply, and I hope that at some point I can actually blow individuals away with a efficiency.

***The Killer’s Sport opens in theaters on Sept. 13.