Bautista’s Drax Is Dead – But He Could Return As Marvel’s Controversial ‘Space Hulk’

Bautista's Drax Is Dead - But He Could Return As Marvel's Controversial 'Space Hulk'

As a fan with a deep appreciation for the transformative power of storytelling and character development, I am thoroughly captivated by Dave Bautista’s journey from the wrestling ring to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). His portrayal of Drax the Destroyer was nothing short of phenomenal, but it seems that he is ready for new challenges.


The transformation of Dave Bautista from a WWE wrestler to Drax the Destroyer is remarkable, making it one of Hollywood’s exceptional underdog tales – an unusual label for such a powerful figure in the wrestling world. However, despite his dominance in the ring, Bautista was facing severe financial difficulties before he landed the role of the dim-witted enforcer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Guardians of the Galaxy. This character, previously unknown in comic books, catapulted him into an unexpected success story overnight. Regrettably for MCU fans, Bautista has no plans to reprise his role as Drax, but the prospect of Space Hulk could be another opportunity.

Space Hulk is a contentious figure in the Marvel Universe due to his almost unstoppable power that often makes other characters seem feeble by comparison. This colossal green being has effortlessly defeated iconic teams like the Fantastic Four, the Watchers, and Deadpool, among others, leading some Marvel enthusiasts to consider him an unrealistic character who might be hard to take seriously. Yet, there are fans who appreciate this aspect of Space Hulk, and they would likely enjoy seeing such a massively powerful creature depicted on the big screen.

Regardless of your opinion of Space Hulk, he has the potential to be an interesting addition to the MCU, and Bautista would be a perfect fit for the part. With that in mind, let’s find out if there’s actually a plausible way to bring this monster into the fold.

Why Dave Bautista Is Done Playing Drax the Destroyer in the MCU

Bautista's Drax Is Dead - But He Could Return As Marvel's Controversial 'Space Hulk'

Rather than limiting himself to action roles like many wrestler-turned-actors, Dave Bautista prefers exploring diverse acting opportunities. This versatility has allowed him to excel in a variety of film genres, including horror films such as “Knock at the Cabin” and complex sci-fi productions like “Dune.” His desire for change is also the reason he’s not keen on reprising his role as Drax the Destroyer, but the intrigue of Space Hulk could potentially persuade him.

Previously known WWE star expressed satisfaction for having portrayed Drax, but also relief that the character is no longer part of his life. “It wasn’t always enjoyable; it was tough being in that role,” Bautista shared with GQ. “The makeup application took a toll on me. I’m unsure if I want Drax to define my career – it’s a humorous portrayal, and I aspire to delve into more serious acting roles.

Regardless, Bautista expresses a willingness to collaborate with Marvel Studios again in the future. Given his friendly rapport with the studio, he’s always ready to take their calls. Moreover, he’s mentioned that he might be interested in portraying another character, particularly a villain, and Space Hulk could potentially satisfy that interest. Essentially, Bautista aims to mirror Robert Downey Jr.’s career path, who is set to reappear in the MCU as Victor Von Doom following Tony Stark’s demise; however, whether the cosmos will conspire for this opportunity remains to be seen.

Drax’s Marvel History May Reveal How He Will Return to the MCU

Bautista's Drax Is Dead - But He Could Return As Marvel's Controversial 'Space Hulk'

In the Marvel Comics world, the character known as Drax the Destroyer has been resurrected multiple times. Originally, he was a common man named Arthur Douglas, a real estate agent, who along with his family, was killed by Thanos. As Thanos continued on his destructive path, a being called Mentor persuaded Kronos to revive Douglas, turning him into the powerful warrior we now recognize as Drax.

Previously mentioned event involving death and revival wasn’t a unique occurrence. In Marvel Comics’ “Annihilation” saga, Drax was slain by the malevolent Skrull named Paibok, later to be reborn as a leaner and wiser hero. This transformation not only refreshed his appearance but also demonstrated that he’s full of unexpected twists, furthermore indicating that there are engaging and imaginative approaches to resurrection narratives.

In the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it’s not confirmed that Drax is actually deceased, which means he might reappear as the powerful warrior fans are familiar with. But if actor Dave Bautista chooses to part ways with the character, an intriguing alternative could be to kill off Drax and resurrect him in a new form, given his history of coming back from the dead. Additionally, Drax shares a profound spiritual bond with the Hulk, which could influence such a metamorphosis.

Drax Could Return to the MCU as ‘Space Hulk’

Bautista's Drax Is Dead - But He Could Return As Marvel's Controversial 'Space Hulk'

Drax the Destroyer is a bulldozer whose most effective abilities are his strength and intimidation. His creator, Jim Starlin, originally envisioned the character as an elemental force powerful enough to contend with Thanos, though he eventually turned Drax into an Incredible Hulk-like brute. As he told Comic Book Resources, “I brain-damaged him and made him into the Hulk, because Marvel didn’t have a dumb green thing at the time, and I thought they should.”

In a playful twist for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), there’s potential for Starlin, who previously took on Bruce Banner’s Hulk-like role, to be reinvented as Space Hulk. Originating from Frank Tieri and Mark Texeira’s “Space: Punisher” series, this version of the monster is remarkably powerful across all realities. It would certainly add excitement to see him unleashed in the MCU. A daring director with a visionary mindset could breathe life into this idea by writing Drax out of the story and then bringing him back as a fearsome, monstrous character.

Additionally, should Bautista continue to collaborate with Marvel, the character from Space Hulk might offer him an intriguing part. If he chooses not to, there are undoubtedly numerous other actors eager for such a chance.

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2024-10-05 17:00