Dave Bautista’s campaign to play Bane in the DC Universe is over.

While doing the press rounds for his new movie, titled Knock at the Cabin, Dave Bautista told Insider that he is done pursing the role of Bane. During the interview, Bautista revealed that he spoke to his Guardians of the Galaxy director James Gunn about the possibility of bringing Bane to life in the DC Universe he’s creating alongside Peter Safran.

“I have had conversations with James about that,” Bautista said, “but I think the direction he’s leaning in, completely rebooting that whole universe, he’s starting from scratch and starting younger and fresher and I think you need to do that. I think for the DC Universe to be revived, you need to start from scratch, and I think you need to start with younger actors. You need to start to plan for the next 15 years, and I just don’t think you can do that with me. And I understand that.”

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The 54-year old actor went on to add the following: “I have to say that I appreciate that because I don’t want to play a character that I can’t bring justice to it. I don’t think at this point in my career that I can bring justice to Bane anymore. I just don’t know if I could handle the physical part, and I don’t think I would have the longevity to plan ahead for films. So, I just don’t know if I’d be that guy.”

James Gunn and his DC Studios partner Peter Safran are expected to present the first chapter of their multi-year DC Universe roadmap this month. Details regarding their DCU plans are being kept under lock and key at Warner Bros. Discovery.

A new era for the DC Universe

James Gunn and Peter Safran are now in charge of DC’s film, television and animations efforts at Warner Bros. Discovery, bringing the company’s comic book-related assets under one roof. Gunn is said to be focusing on the creative direction of the DCU while Safran is handling things that are related to business and production.

Shazam! Fury of the Gods, The Flash, Blue Beetle and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom are currently in various stages of post-production at Warner Bros. Discovery, with all four DC Universe movies slated to hit theaters in 2023. Will the characters from those movies make appearances in the new DCU? Only Gunn and Safran know.

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