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Wrestler turned actor Dave Bautista is deadly serious about his transition from hulking fighter to Hollywood superstar.
And he is not thrilled about his comparisons to Dwayne Johnson, or as most know him, the Rock.
In an interview with GQ, the massive brute of a man revealed his acting aspirations are far more thespian than action hero.
"I never wanted to be the next Rock. I just want to be a good f**king actor," the former wrestler said, before adding: "A respected actor."
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The comparisons have so far come thick and fast, with Knives Out writer-director Rian Johnson dubbing the former Wrestlemania star as the greatest wrestler-turned-actor ever.
Shots fired at The Rock.
The 53-year-old stars in Johnson's sensational sequel to Knives Out, Glass Onion.
He appears in the movie as Duke Cody, a men's rights streamer who some have compared to Joe Rogan.
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Speaking to The Atlantic about the film, Johnson said: "I was picturing a scrawny dude who’s trying to overcompensate.
"When Bautista was brought up, I was instantly so smitten by the idea. I’ve been a very big fan of his dramatic chops as an actor."
And Johnson isn't the only one falling head-over-heels.
Coming off the back of the success of Glass Onion, Bautista is about to star in a new M. Night Shyalaman thriller.
A Knock at the Cabin comes out next month.
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Following that, he'll kiss the Marvel Cinematic Universe goodbye in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, and he’ll finish off the year with a big part to play in in Dune: Part Two.
2023 is shaping up to be a pretty stellar year if you're Dave Bautista.
Speaking of Dune, Bautista revealed that he would act for nothing if it meant continuing on with Canadian filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, who has already directed him in Blade Runner 2049 and both of the Dune films.
"If I could be a number one [on the callsheet] with Denis, I would do it for f**king free," he said, as per GQ.
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"I think that’s how I could find out how good I could be. He brings out the best in me. He sees me in a different light, sees the performer that I want to be."
"That might be how I solve the puzzle."
Well, puzzle away, Bautista, because we are loving the journey.
Topics: TV and Film, Dwayne Johnson, Celebrity
Rachel Lang