Dave Bautista Reveals Why He’s Not Mad About Not Playing Peacemaker Like James Gunn Wanted, Despite A ‘Bit Of Envy’

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John Cena is currently starring in the second season of *Peacemaker*, which is airing in 2025 and available to stream on HBO Max. Many fans agree he’s perfectly suited for the part, making it difficult to picture anyone else in the role. However, James Gunn recently shared that he initially wrote the character with Dave Bautista (known from *Guardians of the Galaxy*) in mind. Bautista, star of *The Killer’s Game*, has now explained he isn’t upset about not getting the part, though he admits to feeling a little envious.

An actor from *Last Showgirl* recently spoke with ComicBook.com about a new project, but first made sure to praise John Cena and explain why stepping away from something ultimately proved to be a good decision. Here’s what he had to say:

Looking back, it’s actually good I didn’t take that role. John was simply perfect for it, and I honestly don’t think I could have done it as well. He really made it a success.

The actor, who first became famous as a wrestler, spoke frankly about his struggles with jealousy, but admitted he didn’t believe he could perform any better. Bautista then went on to say:

I admit, I’m a little envious. I’d love to have been able to play that character, but I don’t think I could have brought the same thing to it as John did. It just wouldn’t have been as strong or as good, and I can say that honestly.

James Gunn recently revealed on *The Howard Stern Show* that he originally wrote the *Peacemaker* series with Dave Bautista in mind while working on *The Suicide Squad*. If Bautista’s schedule and salary had worked out, he could have played Peacemaker for two seasons, potentially even appearing in projects related to *Superman* and a *Man of Tomorrow* series. However, Bautista committed to *Army of the Dead*, which offered him a leading role and a larger paycheck. Fortunately, John Cena was available, and the rest is DC Universe history.

Dave Bautista has a surprisingly mature perspective, especially considering his focus on choosing roles based on character depth. Since finishing his time as Drax, he’s clearly been aiming to expand his range, taking on diverse projects like *Blade Runner 2049*, *Dune*, and *Knock at the Cabin*. His willingness to admit another actor might have been a better fit for a role is a refreshingly honest approach, not often seen among rising stars in the superhero genre.

I completely agree with the actor from *Afterburn*. John Cena’s portrayal of Peacemaker is fantastic because he perfectly blends over-the-top confidence with a surprisingly vulnerable and damaged side. This delicate balance is what makes the show so successful – it’s both funny and genuinely moving. Even though Dave Bautista is a talented actor, particularly in roles like Drax, it’s clear he wouldn’t have been the right fit for Peacemaker. Recognizing that doesn’t take anything away from his abilities, but it does show how crucial casting is. Honestly, if Bautista had played Peacemaker, I don’t think we would have gotten a spin-off series, and the character likely would have stayed dead, as it seemed at the end of *The Suicide Squad*.

So, does this mean we won’t be seeing that *Army of the Dead* actor in James Gunn’s new DC Universe? I don’t think so, necessarily. He’s mentioned wanting to play Bane for ages, although he’s playfully admitted he’s not getting any younger! He’s clearly doing great, picking really cool roles and not settling for anything less. But honestly, I get the feeling if the right part comes along in this new DC world, he’d definitely be open to joining the fun.

The second season of *Peacemaker* began streaming on August 21, 2025, with new episodes released every Thursday. Dave Bautista’s next project is a romantic comedy called *The Romantic*, which Paramount Pictures recently picked up. While there’s no release date yet, I’m looking forward to seeing Bautista take on a different kind of role.

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2025-09-17 18:38