Action Star Battles Thanos and James Bond, Now Tackles Shocking New Project!

Dave Bautista’s wish is about to become a reality! In 2023, while promoting Knock at the Cabin by M. Night Shyamalan, the actor and former wrestler expressed his frustration to Page Six about not being considered for romantic comedies.

“I know I’m not the typical lead for these kinds of movies. I’m a bit rough around the edges. But every time I look in the mirror, I ask myself: ‘Am I really that ugly? Is there something so unappealing about me that excludes me from these roles?”

By September 2024, he announced that his plea had been heard, though he did not provide further details. Interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter, the actor said: “I mentioned this and immediately started getting calls. So, I have a few projects in development that are really funny… I’m going to be in a full-fledged romantic comedy. Not an action rom-com, a true romantic comedy.”

Today, we learn via Deadline, that the man behind Drax in Guardians of the Galaxy will play the lead male role in the romcom The Romantic, which Paramount has recently acquired.

The story follows successful romance novelist Francine London. However, Francine hides a secret: her real name is Ed Schwenke. When Francine’s true identity is questioned, Ed hires a woman to impersonate Francine at a romance novel convention. He then must dodge a cynical journalist who despises love stories even more than liars…

Currently, no director is attached to the project, which is being produced by Deborah Kaplan and Harry Elfont for Maximum Effort and Dogbone Entertainment, Dave Bautista’s company.