Dave Bautista as the villain in the Highlander reboot
He is also set to take on a role in "Road House 2"
Production of the "Highlander" reboot under Chad Stahelski continues to progress: according to industry magazine The Hollywood Reporter, Dave Bautista will play the role of the villain.
The former wrestling star and celebrated actor is to portray the immortal barbarian "The Kurgen" in the remake – a role previously played by Clancy Brown. In the original film, the character was a brutal, terrifying warrior who hunts other immortals across the centuries to absorb their power.
Bautista, who proved his versatility in "Guardians of the Galaxy", "Dune" and "Blade Runner 2049", not only brings a physical presence to the role, but also depth as an actor. In addition to this project, Bautista is also in talks for a leading role in Amazon's sequel to "Road House 2", according to industry reports .
The new film adaptation will be directed by Chad Stahelski, who made a name for himself as the director of the "John Wick" series. Henry Cavill will take on the lead role of Connor MacLeod, while Russell Crowe is set to take on the mentor character Ramirez – a part originally played by Sean Connery. Marisa Abela, known from "Industry", will also take on a leading role.
Filming is scheduled to begin at the end of September 2025 and will take place in the UK and Hong Kong – a clear indication that the remake will also switch between different worlds and eras.
From the wrestling ring to the big screen: Dave Bautista's best-known films and series
Dave Bautista is one of the few actors today who has made the leap from wrestling to the world of film not only successfully but also credibly. Once celebrated as WWE champion "Batista", he has established himself as a serious actor in recent years – with roles that go far beyond mere action figures. Bautista has proven that he not only has muscle power, but also acting talent. Here are the most famous films and series of his career to date.
Guardians of the Galaxy (2014-2023): Breakthrough as Drax
Bautista's international film career began with a bang: in Marvel's "Guardians of the Galaxy", he took on the role of Drax the Destroyer – a heavily armored but emotionally broken warrior with surprisingly funny timing. His dry humor and tragic backstory quickly made him a fan favorite. Bautista returned for several Marvel films, including "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2", "Avengers: Infinity War", "Endgame" and "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3" (2023), where he said goodbye to the role.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017): Small role, big impact
Bautista only played a small role in Denis Villeneuve's sequel to the sci-fi classic "Blade Runner" – but his performance as replicant Sapper Morton in the film's intro was impressive. In just a few minutes, he showed a thoughtful, calm depth that made many critics sit up and take notice. It was one of the first indications that Bautista was capable of more than physical presence.
Dune (2021): Terrifying and menacing
Bautista worked with Denis Villeneuve once again, this time in the sci-fi epic "Dune". As Glossu Rabban, the brutal nephew of Baron Harkonnen, he embodies a merciless character who still has room for development. In "Dune 2" (2024), Rabban was developed further and Bautista once again showed that he can play complex antagonists convincingly.
Knives Out: Glass Onion (2022): Satire meets star power
In Rian Johnson's crime thriller sequel "Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery", Bautista plays the macho influencer Duke Cody, who is drawn into a deadly intrigue. The role allows him to play with stereotypes – deliberately exaggerated, but not one-dimensional. It was a successful foray into the genre of social satire and proof of his versatility.
Army of the Dead (2021): Starring in the zombie action thriller
Under the direction of Zack Snyder, Bautista took on the lead role in "Army of the Dead", an apocalyptic heist film with zombies. As Scott Ward, a former soldier who leads a dangerous commando through an infested Las Vegas, Bautista shows action, emotion and leadership – a classic heroic role, but with depth.
Spectre (2015): Silent, deadly Bond adversary
In "Spectre", the 24th James Bond film with Daniel Craig, Bautista played the henchman Hinx – an homage to classic Bond villains such as Oddjob. Without many words, but with a brutal presence, he delivered one of the most spectacular fight scenes of the Craig era. Despite less dialog, the impact was huge.
See (2019-2021): Post-apocalyptic serial drama
In the Apple TV+ series "See", Bautista took on the role of Edo Voss, the brother of protagonist Baba Voss (played by Jason Momoa) from season 2. In the dark future world, in which almost no one can see, he appears as a charismatic antagonist – complex, emotional and brutal at the same time. A strong series role that expands his acting repertoire.
Conclusion: much more than an action star
Dave Bautista has long been more than just an ex-wrestler with movie ambitions. With each new role, he shows that he is a master of both blockbuster cinema and character roles. He chooses his projects carefully, works with renowned directors and constantly surprises with new facets. Whether as a taciturn fighter, a brutal antagonist or a vulnerable hero, Bautista has firmly established himself in the film business and his career is far from over.