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

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I find it utterly inspiring to witness such a passionate and relentless pursuit of excellence from a seasoned actor like our intervoyager here. His unwavering desire to prove himself, even in the face of daunting challenges, reflects a deep-rooted love for his craft that few possess.

In the case of Dave Bautista, it wasn’t the action-packed scenes that drew his interest in “The Killer’s Game”; rather, it was the unique opportunity to portray a genuine romantic lead for the first time, a role that he found both challenging and intriguing. Much like other actors, Bautista is drawn to roles that push him out of his comfort zone, and so the chance to play a lovestruck assassin named Joe Flood was something he had been contemplating since 2019. “The Killer’s Game,” based on Jay Bonansinga’s novel, features the character of Joe Flood, who is diagnosed with a neurodegenerative brain condition that gives him only a few months to live. In a heart-wrenching twist, he takes out a contract on his own life so that his lover, Maize (Sofia Boutella), can collect his life insurance policy. However, due to three different lab misdiagnoses, it’s too late for him to cancel the contract

Over nearly three decades, the movie version of “The Killer’s Game” has experienced numerous changes, with actors such as Wesley Snipes, Michael Keaton, and Jason Statham initially involved but eventually stepping away. However, momentum picked up when Lionsgate secured the distribution rights in a challenging 2023, appointing “Day Shift” director J.J. Perry to lead the action-comedy production in Budapest under a Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists temporary agreement

However, considering Perry had recently starred in a vampire action movie led by Jamie Foxx and had gained experience in stunts and second units alongside John Wick’s co-creator Chad Stahelski, Bautista initially worried that their creative visions for the romantic aspect of the film might not align

Initially, during our conversation, Perry mentioned something that brought a sense of relief to me. He said, “You know what’s fantastic about this project and what will make us stand out is the romantic element at its core.” At that moment, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of gratitude, saying, “Thank goodness for that.” Bautista shared this with The Hollywood Reporter

The following hurdle was finding the perfect actress for Maize, and Bautista had long imagined Boutella in the role of the skilled ballet dancer who turns into Flood’s girlfriend. The two actors crossed paths on Drew Pearce’s Hotel Artemis production, although they didn’t share any screen time, they quickly formed a strong bond in the makeup room. He even vouched for her casting in Rebel Moon to Zack Snyder when the director sought his thoughts on her during the 2019 filming of Army of the Dead. Over time, Bautista grew so firm about Boutella’s casting that he refused to let scheduling conflicts stand in the way

“In his account, Bautista explains that he consistently rejected other actresses due to his preference for only one person – Sofia. He then proposed a solution: instead of searching for another actress, let’s adjust schedules to make it possible for Sofia to work more frequently. This required the combined efforts of producers, agents, and managers, as well as Sofia’s willingness to travel back and forth from Budapest to London while working on two separate projects.”

In the making of “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2” and its yet-to-be-released sequel, Bautista also played a significant role in bringing on board Pom Klingevemm, his co-star from the same series, as the lead antagonist named Antoinette. Despite this, he expresses a desire to reconnect with more of his fellow Guardians beyond the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, he regrets the sense of unfinished business he felt when saying goodbye to his role as Drax

“Bautista expresses that it’s not exactly longing for [Drax] he feels, but rather the camaraderie and familial vibe on set. He finds it tough to accept that there won’t be another day on set with Chris, Zoe, Pom, Karen, Sean Gunn, James Gunn, as it will never happen again. ‘It’s a hard pill to swallow,’ he says. The last night of filming was in Hollywood, wrapping up at 3 or 4 am. He had to rush off immediately to Philadelphia for Knock at the Cabin, and then onto another film without attending the press events or premiere for Guardians 3. This has left a significant gap in his heart, as he never truly said goodbye to that character and the cast, and this absence will always carry a tinge of sadness.”

In the crafting of both parts of “Dune,” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve is reusing certain scenes from “Dune: Part One” for “Dune: Part Two.” Toward the end of “Part One,” we find Bautista’s character, Rabban, receiving orders from his uncle, Lord Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgård), to boost spice production and eliminate the Fremen. In “Part Two,” we see a failed Rabban standing outside his uncle’s door as the Baron becomes enraged by his nephew’s failures and brutally kills two nurses. Interestingly, this scene was actually shot during the primary filming of “Part One.” Furthermore, the subsequent scene in which Rabban enters to confront his uncle appears to be recycled footage from the original bathtub scene in “Part One.” (Additional dialogues and insertion of the dead nurses may have been added.)

In the confirmation by Bautista, it’s stated that he and Josh Brolen did not shoot the scene depicting Rabban inflicting the scar on Gurney Halleck which is later referred to in Part Two as a mark left by Rabban

“In our entire collaborative career, we never recorded a joint fight scene. Initially, it was planned as an extensive, drawn-out fight, but during filming, Denis opted against a lengthy action sequence due to its unnecessary excessiveness in light of the events that had transpired. Instead, he chose to keep the final battle short and impactful.” – Bautista explains

In a recent chat I had with THR, I shared my dream of one day competing for an Oscar

As a dedicated fan, I’ve been captivated by the journey of The Killer’s Game for nearly three decades now. Since I joined the team in 2019, I’ve navigated numerous challenges along the way, but what has kept me hooked during these last five years is

Back in the day, I had stumbled upon a project long ago, one that later changed hands and for a time, slipped from my memory. In due course, it reappeared on my radar with J.J. Perry involved, igniting in me a renewed appreciation for this character, the script, and the fun, unique blend of romance and action it offered. At first glance, I wasn’t hunting for action-packed tales, but the intriguing twist that made this more than just an action film was its deep-rooted foundation in romance – making it a refreshing, engaging, and distinctive piece of work. It was love at first sight, so to speak, as I envisioned Sofia as Maize

Initially, when the movie returned, my affection for its central romance remained strong. However, apprehension set in because I was familiar with J.J.’s history in action and supporting roles. I’d only witnessed one film he directed, and I anticipated that he would transform this into an action-packed production, which wasn’t my preference. Once more, I wasn’t seeking action films

Initially, during our first conversation, he remarked, “You know, what truly makes us exceptional is the romantic core of this tale.” (Chuckles.) Hearing him say that, I couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of gratitude. I thought, “Thank goodness for that.” From then on, my connection with J.J. flourished, and I recognized our shared perspective. That’s what I’ve always admired about it, and that’s what continues to appeal to me. The film’s power lies in its central relationship

In the scene where Joe and Maize develop their romantic feelings towards each other, it showcases an unusual aspect of your personality. Was there any point during this process that made you feel apprehensive or uncomfortable?

The entire movie made me feel quite apprehensive, let out a chuckle. This was an entirely different kind of role for me. I’ve never portrayed a character like this before. I’ve never been the romantic lead. I’ve never taken on such action-packed scenes where I deliver cool lines and then win over the girl in the end. Therefore, it was my first time as a true leading man, so I found myself feeling self-conscious and anxious about the whole experience

Although Sofia and you didn’t share any on-screen moments in Hotel Artemis, you both recently starred as the main characters in Zack Snyder’s latest productions. Did you develop any camaraderie during that time?

I’ve known Sofia since Hotel Artemis, and while we didn’t interact on camera, we got along great off camera. I saw her a lot on set, and we sat right next to each other in the makeup trailer. So I really liked her from day one. She’s not only a lovable person, but she’s also just so low maintenance and not pretentious. She’s just real and grounded, and she’s so grateful to be there. She also has a physical background like I do. She transitioned into acting from dancing; I transitioned into acting from wrestling. We both made a living with our bodies before moving into this new career where we had to prove ourselves as performers. So we share a lot of common feelings as far as our backgrounds, and we stayed in touch through the years. 

In fact, during the filming of Army of the Dead, Zack brought up Rebel Moon, and he asked for my thoughts on Sofia. I shared my personal experiences with her and expressed how much I admired her. I had no role in choosing her for the cast, but he did seek my opinion about her as an individual. So, it was all warm greetings and affectionate gestures, reflecting my genuine feelings towards her

But I never saw anybody else but Sofia in the part of Maize. From the very first day I got the script, I started mentioning her name all the way up. During casting, I said, “I just can’t see anybody else,” but there was a scheduling issue with her. So 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.” 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. But it was always Sofia, and it was always meant to be Sofia. I couldn’t see anybody else in the role.

In this film, the sentiment expressed by Dolly Parton in her quote, “Never get so caught up in earning a living that you forget about living,” seems to be a recurring idea. Have you found yourself needing to recall this advice during your professional journey?

Absolutely, I get where you’re coming from! To put it another way, if I were to offer that advice to someone, I’d be quite inconsistent with my actions. You see, I prioritize my career above all else and I stand firm in that choice. It may seem selfish at first glance, but my career is my top priority. All other aspects of life take a secondary role. However, it’s crucial to understand the reason behind this. Without my career, I can’t ensure financial stability for my family, provide a home for my mother, cover my son’s education costs, or strive to improve future generations of my family. So, I must prioritize it, and those close to me comprehend my reasons. They know that I act with purpose, not out of selfishness. Instead, I do this because I’ve created a company and there are people who rely on my hard work for their livelihood. If I don’t focus ahead and keep blinders on, others might suffer as a result

I don’t view it as a self-centered choice; instead, I see it as a shared journey. I require your support, faith, and encouragement to pursue this, making it the focal point of my life. Although it may seem sad, my career is my top priority, and everyone understands. They appreciate me more because of it, which inspires me to work even harder for them. It’s not just about me; I’m also creating opportunities for others. When you become an employer, there’s a new kind of pressure since people rely on you for their livelihood. This shifts your outlook on life. Knowing that my son depends on me to set him up for his future, and his children will have better lives because of it, makes this my top priority. I’ll make time for everything else, but this is my chance, my one life, to change things for my family’s future generations. This is my opportunity

Playing Pom Klementieff’s role brings to mind when Karen Gillan was chosen for your film Stuber. Both films feature a character who is part of the same superhero team. Were you responsible for casting Pom, by any chance?

(Laughs.) As we tossed around potential names, particularly for Antoinette, Pom was suggested, and my initial concern was, “Can we afford Pom?” Despite my enthusiasm to have her on board, I needed to know our financial situation first. As a producer, I was prepared to make adjustments if necessary, such as taking a pay cut or investing more money, if she turned out to be available and willing to take the role. I’ve had the pleasure of working with many of my Marvel co-stars outside the Marvel universe, including Karen, which was thrilling for me. Now, I’ve also worked with Pom, and I aspire to work with Chris [Pratt] and Zoe [Saldana] as well, for personal reasons. It’s a wonderful feeling. They feel like family to me. Whenever I can collaborate with them, I’m overjoyed, but working with them outside the Marvel universe presents a unique challenge

Have we had a conversation since Army of the Dead? During that chat, you were quite excited about wrapping up Drax. With over a year having passed since Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, do you find yourself missing him now and then?

To be honest, I wouldn’t use the word “miss” when referring to him specifically. What I yearn for is the familial atmosphere that we shared on set. It’s tough accepting that we won’t create those moments together anymore – me, Chris, Zoe, Pom, Karen, Sean Gunn, James Gunn. Unfortunately, those days are behind us and it’s a difficult reality to accept. I also haven’t had the chance to bid farewell to everyone involved in that phase of my career. Despite moving on, I never had a proper goodbye or closure. I missed out on attending the premiere with everyone, sharing laughter, tears, and saying our final goodbyes. That experience was something I didn’t get to have

My final night on the set of Guardians of the Galaxy was actually spent filming The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special. We filmed both Guardians 3 and the holiday special simultaneously, which meant our last day of shooting was in Hollywood, wrapping up at around 3 or 4 am. Immediately afterward, I had to rush to the hotel, grab my belongings, and catch a flight to Philadelphia to begin Knock at the Cabin just two days later. As a result, I didn’t have the chance to bid farewell to everyone on set. Instead, I was whisked away to another film set, missing out on press events and premieres for Guardians 3. This lack of closure has left me with a lingering sense of sadness whenever I reflect on that time, as I never got to properly say goodbye to the character and cast that meant so much to me

In Dune: Part Two, Rabban confronts Josh Brolin’s character Gurney Halleck. Earlier in the film, Gurney mentions a scar given to him by Rabban, which was inflicted during the attack on House Atreides in Dune: Part One. Was this scene featuring their violent encounter among the footage that didn’t make it into Part One? Did you actually film this intense altercation between them?

In the initial movie, I never shared any on-screen moments with Josh during filming, not even in rehearsals. It appears we never worked together on a film set. We were both in Budapest, but our scenes weren’t filmed together. The final fight scene was initially planned as a lengthy one, but during production, Denis felt that adding more action at that point would have been unnecessary, given all that had transpired. Instead, he decided to focus on the narrative and shortened the fight sequence. Consequently, the only alteration made regarding the fight scene was this reduction, though some scenes from the first film were carried over to the second. Unfortunately, that particular scene wasn’t among them

Can you name an example? 

In one scene, Rabban remained near an entrance, ears straining as he overheard the Baron brutally attacking others. From his position outside the door, he could hear the terrified shouts of those under attack. With great apprehension and embarrassment, he hesitated to enter, yet I captured that moment in the original film

Did J.J. Perry get a title belt personalized with his name, or is there one engraved with ‘Villeneuve’ as well?

I don’t know how he’d feel about that. Denis won’t even high-five me. (Laughs.)

Really? 

Sure, here’s a way to rephrase that in a more natural and easy-to-read style:

“I deeply love it.” 

(Laughs.) I love hearing that from him. It is such a validating thing to hear from him.

In an earlier reference, you noted that last year’s movie that left a lasting impression on you was “Knock at the Cabin.” This may very well have been your favorite performance from all your works so far. I wonder if there were any particular insights or discoveries you made while working on this production?

I proved to myself that I could work under pressure. If I could go back and do that all over again, which, man, I would love the opportunity … I also really, really want to work with M. Night Shyamalan again. But, like I said, I wrapped the Guardians Holiday Special very early on a Friday morning and immediately flew to Philly to start filming Knock at the Cabin on Monday morning. So I had zero time to prepare for that film, and it had such extensive dialogue that I really struggled to memorize all of it. 

The process was slow-paced due to our use of one camera on film, resulting in lengthy shooting sessions of up to 15 hours per day. To prepare for the next day’s shoot, I had to rush home to memorize my lines. If only I could have been better prepared in advance, I would say. Fortunately, I worked with a patient and supportive director. Shooting digitally would have made things easier as one wouldn’t be wasting film, but under the pressure of preserving film and trying to remember all that dialogue, it was an intense experience. Through this, I discovered I could perform well under high-pressure situations

In your long-term pursuit of excellence, you’ve often been your harshest judge. Yet, the extensive list of renowned filmmakers with whom you’ve collaborated is stretching far beyond a mile. Does this abundance of accolades from others, and their belief in your skills, finally find their way into your self-assessment?

I like hearing that people think highly of me. It feels good. And when you say it, it makes me emotional. It’s very validating. I love acting. It’s an understatement when I say how much I love it. So to hear that people think highly of you or they respect you, it feels great, but the thing that bothers me is that I don’t feel like people have seen the best of me. I don’t feel like I’ve seen the best of me. I feel like I can be better. I feel like I need that project. I need that director to challenge me and bring that out of me. And I will openly say that I want to be in award conversations. I want to be that caliber of actor, but I don’t know how I can be more proactive in trying to get those roles. I have these conversations with my agents every day. I really want to be thought of in that light. So I am really happy and proud to hear that, but I hope that people haven’t seen the best of me. I still have a lot to offer, and I hope that one day I can really blow people away with a performance.

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The Killer’s Game opens in theaters on Sept. 13.

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2024-09-05 02:27