Former wrestler Dave Bautista has had one of the most successful transitions from the squared circle to Hollywood. Having left WWE in 2010 to pursue acting full-time, The Animal recognizes talent when he sees it. Having said so, the 55-year-old has named CM Punk as someone whom he believes was really overlooked as an actor. During an interview with BuzzFeed Celeb, Dave even said he’d love to work with Punk in a movie.
However, Bautista noted that Punk’s heart is still beating for professional wrestling. And until he’s completely done with it, he’d not be able to harness his full potential as an actor. The former Evolution member said that the former AEW star has a passion for acting. The latter was a part of a 2019 horror film, Girl on the Third Floor.
Apart from that, the Chicagoan has had a lead role in Heels, a wrestling drama series that also featured his wife, AJ Lee. Bautista may have to wait a little longer for Punk to burst into Hollywood as a full-blown actor.
You know who I think was really overlooked as an actor?..........it’s CM Punk, Phil Brooks. His potential in acting is pretty unlimited. I’d actually love to work with him because I think he has a passion for acting.Dave Bautista on CM Punk via BuzzFeed Celeb
Because, as of now, the 45-year-old doesn’t seem to be hanging up his boots anytime soon. CM Punk is currently at loggerheads with Drew McIntyre in what has been one of the most personal rivalries of his WWE career.
They’re set to settle their differences once and for all next month at Bad Blood. As announced by Raw GM Adam Pearce, the fans will see Punk and McIntyre going for a three-peat of their matches. But this time around, they’ll be locked inside Hell in a Cell.
Speaking of Drew, this past Monday on Raw, he did gloat about the release of his first Hollywood movie, The Killer’s Game, featuring a lead role from Bautista. It’s the first time they’d be sharing the screen together.
How did Dave Bautista help Drew McIntyre get a role in The Killer’s Game?
As much as Drew McIntyre is brimming with excitement about The Killer’s Game hitting theaters on September 13, the way he landed the role is even more fascinating. The revelation was made by none other than Dave Bautista while speaking to Chris Van Vliet.
Dave told CVV that JJ Perry, the director, asked the retired wrestler that he needed a guy who’d be bigger and physically intimidating to even someone like The Animal. More importantly, Perry was scouting a man who could also pull off a Scottish accent.
That’s when Bautista’s mind had some bells ringing. He immediately thought of McIntyre and recommended it to the director. After going through Drew’s profile, the filmmakers agreed that they’d found a perfect match for the role.
The wrestler-turned-actor also revealed that he had known Drew for a long time. In fact, the current Raw star first met Dave when he was only 18 or 19 years old. His first look from the movie heavily impressed the fans.