Marvel Responds to Dave Bautista’s Claim About His Involvement in Disney’s ‘What If…?’
The Marvel Cinematic Universe‘s What If…? has hit Disney+ and fans have been loving the alternate take on some of the stories that they’ve seen in the popular films over the past 13 years. A surprising amount of actors from the main Marvel franchises have shown up to lend their voices to the new animated series, but not all of them. The cast list for the series is missing some big names, but at least one of the absent heroes wasn’t due to a scheduling conflict or contract issue. Drax the Destroyer actor Dave Bautista says that he wasn’t even invited to be on the show, and Disney quickly responded.
Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer
Dave Bautista has been playing Drax the Destroyer in the MCU since Guardians of the Galaxy hit theaters in 2014. The star was perfect for the role as a former WWE superstar, and fans loved the wit and presence he brought to the role.
A big part of the reason Guardians of the Galaxy was so beloved by fans was the absolutely amazing chemistry that the cast shared. The amazing performances from all the actors involved may have been the difference between a cheesy, over the-top-flop and the brilliant, quirky space opera that fans saw on movie screens.
Disney leaves out Dave Bautista
When Marvel’s What If…? began airing, it was clear to fans that they’d be getting the actual voices for many of their favorite characters in this new animated series. Since the show contains so many alternate takes on scenes that fans have already watched on the big screen, it only makes sense to bring back the original actors. However, some big names like Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, and Tom Holland are missing from the credits. Other actors are performing their voices.
One actor that never had a chance to appear on the show was Bautista. Despite nearly the entire Guardians of the Galaxy cast featuring in the second episode of the show, the original voice for Drax was mysteriously absent. Bautista claimed on Twitter that Disney never even asked him to appear in the show. But, Disney would later come out refuting that.
According to the Independent, executive producer Brad Winderbaum said in a recent interview, “It’s my understanding that everybody was asked in some way, shape or form, either through their agents or directly.” He seemed to believe the issue was all a misunderstanding, continuing, “I don’t know really what happened behind the scenes there, but certainly, we would have loved for him to be in the show. So there’s probably some miscommunication somewhere.”
Marvel’s ‘What If…?’
What if…? is an old favorite of the Marvel world where familiar heroes have their history changed in some fundamental way. Then readers get to see how the new world plays out with the changes. Fresh off the heels of the reality-breaking insanity that was Loki, What If…? is even more poignant in its Disney+ incarnation. Many fans think that the show taking a tour of alternate realities could possibly actually interact with the main MCU.
With the multiverse increasingly entering into storylines in Marvel, it’s great to see that so many stars came on board to voice their characters. Unfortunately, Bautista couldn’t get into the show with the rest of the gang, but since there’s a second season planned for What If…?, maybe he’ll get his chance yet.
