Dave Bautista explains reason he will not play Bane for the DCU

I think for the DC Universe to be revived, you need to start from scratch, and I think you need to start with younger actors. You need to start to plan for the next 15 years, and I just don't think you can do that with me. And I understand that. The wrestler-turned-actor says that Gunn is rebooting the DC Universe with younger actors.

The actor adds that he may not be physically fit to play such an imposing character given his advancing age. He wants to give the characters he portrays his best and thinks he cannot give his all to Bane.

"I don't want to play a character that I can't bring justice to it," Bautista said. "I don't think at this point in my career that I can bring justice to Bane anymore. I just don't know if I could handle the physical part, and I don't think I would have the longevity to plan ahead for films. So, I just don't know if I'd be that guy."

Bautista has been interested in playing Bane for a number of years. In 2021, he put Warner Bros. on notice about being cast as the Batman villain.

"I've made no secret about this," Bautista revealed at JusticeCon. I want to play Bane so bad I went to Warner Bros., had an appointment with them, had an appointment with DC, walked in the door, and said, 'I want to play Bane.' I'm not kidding. They were a little like, 'Woah, we're not even casting Bane.' I was like, 'I don't care, I'm playing him.'"

Things have changed over at DC Studios with James Gunn and Peter Safran leading the newly formed DC Studios as the co-CEOs. The pair are reportedly announcing their plans for the DC Universe any day now.

James Gunn and Dave Bautista will have one final adventure in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on May 5.