Dave Bautista Reveals Why He Doesn’t Measure Success by His Performances in ‘In the Lost Lands’

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Dave Bautista initially became well-known to many film viewers as Drax, the fierce yet compassionate warrior from Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy” series. Over the last ten years, he has tackled numerous tough roles, including those in the James Bond movie “Spectre” and the “Dune” series. However, at age 56, Bautista has also showcased his more sensitive side through notable dramatic performances, such as portraying a teacher foreseeing the apocalypse in “Knock at the Cabin” and an unsure influencer with insecurity issues in “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Currently featured in director Paul W.S. Anderson’s post-apocalyptic feudal Western film titled “In the Lost Lands,” Bautista delivers a captivating performance as a traditional hero: a gun-wielding, royal-employed figure in the mistrustful and solitary style of classic spaghetti Western characters. The role was a delight for the actor to take on.

This character is different from what I’m used to, pushing me slightly out of my comfort zone. He reminds me of a charismatic, enigmatic gunslinger,” Bautista explains to EbMaster, flashing a smile. “I’ve never been the type of leading man before, but suddenly Paul cast me in a role where he said, ‘You’re going to be cool! You’ll be mysterious and sexy! Not only will you win the girl, but you’ll win every girl in the movie!'”

Bautista shares that the character is new for him, extending beyond his usual comfort zone, resembling a captivating, shadowy gunslinger. He admits he hadn’t previously been the typical leading man, but was unexpectedly cast by Paul in a role where he was told, “You’ll be cool! You’ll be mysterious and attractive! Not only will you win the girl, but you’ll win every girl in the film!

Read the full conversation with Bautista about “In the Lost Lands” below.

So much of the film is just you and Milla Jovovich sharing scenes together. How did you find her as a scene partner?

When working with someone I admire, I usually feel at ease by expressing my feelings upfront, even though it can be uncertain how they’ll respond. I wear my emotions openly, so I shared with her immediately that I might be a bit nervous because she’s highly respected by me. To my surprise, she took it in stride. However, there were moments when I found myself thinking, “Wow, this is Milla Jovovich!” quite often during our collaboration.

Paul developed the look of the Lost Lands in Unreal Engine for over a year before shooting. The digital world could then be composited, rendered and viewed on set via playback. How did he introduce you to that odd technological approach?

Our discussion wasn’t particularly special due to its frequent repetition. Frankly, the technology was beyond my comprehension, but Paul graciously allowed me to observe it. While we were recording, he demonstrated what he was focusing on. All I saw were blue walls, yet he was peering into another world. It gave me a glimpse of what it entailed. The experience was deeply personal. I had exceptional actors and practical props around me, which meant I didn’t need to exert much creative effort. Paul made the whole process incredibly straightforward for me.

You anchor the very first shot of this film, narrating to the audience in close-up. It’s one of several big spotlights you get in the film. Is there a particular sequence that you’re most proud of?

Reflecting on past projects, whether it’s a year, two years, or six months ago, I can’t help but observe my own progress and think, “I could have approached this differently, I could have handled that better.” Yet, I am proud of how much I’ve grown as an actor. Each film I’ve worked on has helped me improve, and I welcome constructive criticism from others. It doesn’t hurt any more than the self-criticism I inflict. To be honest, there isn’t a specific moment in my films that I feel particularly proud of. This is simply a personal standard I set for myself, a part of my ongoing journey as an actor.

You came to screen-acting in your late-thirties after a career in professional wrestling. It makes sense that you still appreciate that progression from performance to performance.

I value the people I work with significantly in my career, whether it’s wrestling or acting. It’s a source of great pride for me to have worked alongside Milla Jovovich, Jodie Foster, and Sir Ben Kingsley. This is something I openly talk about and feel immensely proud of. However, when it comes to my own performance, it’s not often that you’ll hear me boast, “Yes, I’m really proud of that.

“In the Lost Lands” is now playing in theaters.

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2025-03-09 00:46