Former WWE megastar Dave Bautista is introducing fellow wrestler Drew McIntyre into the Hollywood scene with his forthcoming action-packed picture, The Killer’s Game, in a crossover guaranteed to thrill fans of both wrestling and movies. Bautista is not forgetting the stars who helped create his legend in the squared circle as he keeps ascending the entertainment business. He is actually dragging them into his new world aggressively.
Bautista shared how he directly assisted McIntyre in landing his first film job in an open interview on the Insight program. The WWE Hall of Famer related how he argued for the Scotsman to be featured in JJ Perry’s film, stressing that it all started with a basic discussion about the type of performer the movie needed.
I Got the Perfect Guy
The former WWE World Champion knew just who to suggest when filmmaker JJ Perry approached Bautista asking for a physically striking performer skilled in performing a Scottish accent. “I was talking with JJ and he said, ‘I need a great big guy, a guy who’s almost intimidating to you, a guy who would kind of dwarf you and be bigger than you,'” Bautista said. “And I also want him to be able to execute a Scottish accent. Does anyone know anything? “Man, I got the perfect guy,” I said, then immediately thought of Drew.
Drew McIntyre is renowned in wrestling for his tall frame and strong presence—qualities Bautista felt would fit perfectly in Hollywood. Bautista said McIntyre suited the position like a glove. The former Guardians of the Galaxy actor said McIntyre was just what Perry was looking for—someone larger-than-life who could stand toe-to-toe with Bautista himself.
A Relationship Retracing Steps Back to WWE
The link between Bautista and McIntyre extends back to their days in WWE, long before the glitter of Hollywood was just around the corner. Bautista remembered lovingly how they first met paths when McIntyre was a young man, with a bond that has stayed solid ever since. I adore Drew. I have always got along with Drew, and I have known him most likely since he was a teenager. When I first met him, I believe he was 19.
Bautista’s campaigning for McIntyre’s participation in The Killer’s Game was much aided by this friendship. Having seen McIntyre’s explosive ascent in WWE and personally seen his commitment to his trade, Bautista felt sure the Scottish actor would shine in the realm of acting as well. Bautista’s view of McIntyre was about trust and respect developed over years in the wrestling business, not only about physicality.
Bringing WWE Stars into Los Angeles
Bautista did more than merely leave McIntyre with the heads-up regarding the project. To be sure the initiative had the company’s approval, he also contacted Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the man presently guiding WWE’s ship. Triple H’s seal of approval mixed with McIntyre’s excitement for the part sealed the contract. Triple H’s green light prepared McIntyre to leap from the wrestling arena onto the big screen.
Bautista gave Levesque’s leadership great compliments, loud and unambiguous. The former champion paused to comment on how Triple H’s direction has changed the WWE scene and how much more open the business is now to let its stars work on outside projects. Unlike his own departure from WWE over a decade ago, when the business was far more exclusive, “Triple H is really open to allowing the talent to go outside and explore other things,” Bautista remarked.
An era of WWE-Hollywood crossovers dawns?
The emergence of WWE stars in Hollywood is not unprecedented; Bautista, John Cena, and naturally Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson have all made the move without incident. But with artists like Drew McIntyre entering this field, it indicates a wider acceptance of this cross-poll between two entertainment behemoths. As more WWE talent investigates acting prospects with the company’s approval, Bautista’s attempts to lure McIntyre into The Killer’s Game might be the first of many such initiatives.
Although McIntyre’s participation in The Killer’s Game is still under wraps in terms of specifics, fans of both wrestling and action films are much looking forward to first screen performance. Given Bautista’s own success in negotiating a Hollywood career, McIntyre couldn’t have a finer mentor or advisor as he starts this next stage.
For Bautista, this goes beyond simply bringing a friend into the limelight—it’s about keeping the distance between the wrestling and movie worlds open so WWE stars aren’t limited to one venue. Fans will soon be able to witness whether McIntyre’s larger-than-life presence in the ring translates into the cinematic sphere with The Killer’s Game on the horizon, but with Bautista’s trust in him, the Scotsman has bright future.
