Dave Bautista is done putting up with negativity at work. The former WWE star turned Hollywood actor made it clear that he has no patience for costars who complain on set, saying he only wants to work with people who are passionate and optimistic about filmmaking.
Dave Bautista gets candid about people on set
While promoting his new action movie Afterburn with director J.J. Perry, Bautista opened up about why he avoids colleagues with bad attitudes. At 56, the actor said he values his time too much to spend it with people who don’t appreciate the opportunity they have.
“I’m just at the age and at the point of my life where life’s just too goddamn short,” Bautista shared with Collider. “I want to work with people I just love and respect, because I love this business. I love filmmaking, and if people don’t want to be there, I don’t want to be there with them.”
Bautista’s passion for his craft is the driving force behind this stance. He sees negativity as a drain on the creative process and a disrespect to the incredible opportunity of making movies. For him, being on set is a joy, not a chore.
“I’m happy to be there. It’s a love thing for me, and I’m passionate about it,” Bautista added. “I want to be there, and I want to make the most of it, so I don’t want to hear people bi***ng, complaining, moaning, and groaning about doing something that we’re all fortunate enough to be doing and making.”
Bautista found the perfect, positive collaborator in Afterburn director J.J. Perry. The actor heaped praise on Perry, a former stunt performer, for fostering a supportive and energetic atmosphere. Bautista claimed he has “never seen somebody so supportive of a cast and crew” and credited Perry for making filmmaking a fun experience.
With Afterburn now in theaters and Bautista continuing to build his reputation as a leading action star, his commitment to working with people who respect the craft seems stronger than ever.
