Dave Bautista stars in a new action movie,The Killer’s Game, and he does what Jason Statham, Michael Keaton, and Wesley Snipes could not in the process.The 2024 movie puts Bautista back in the familiar territory of being an action star.After his breakout role inGuardians of the Galaxyin 2014, theWWE wrestler-turned-actorgained attention in Hollywood as a potential leading man in the genre thanks to his muscular build and natural physical abilities. This ultimately led him to land the lead role inThe Killer’s Gameand get a chance to headline a long-gestating project.
The Killer’s Gamefollows Dave Bautista’s character,Joe Flood, an assassin whose life changes when he is diagnosed with a terminal illness.Not wanting to die of the disease, Flood orders a hit on himself so that his death is quick and done by an expert. However, he quickly learns that his illness was a misdiagnosis and that he can’t stop assassins from hunting him down. Anyone whowatchesThe Killer’s Gamewill be treated to Dave Bautista’s character fighting for his life and attempting to launch a new action franchise. The project’s history makes it even more impressive.
Jason Statham, Michael Keaton & Wesley Snipes Failed To Make The Killer’s Game Before Dave Bautista
Bautista Wasn’t The First Choice
Dave Bautista might be the star ofThe Killer’s Game, but the movie had a long development process that led to various notable actors being attached to it previously.The earliest iteration of the movie was meant to star Wesley Snipes, as New Line Cinema courted the actor in 2002, right in the aftermath ofBlade II’s release.
The studio ultimately failed to lure a director to this version ofThe Killer’s Game, leading to Wesley Snipes walking away from the project. After Wesley Snipes vacatedThe Killer’s Game, Michael Keaton took a turn being attached to it. This came as the project moved from New Line to Paramount and Simon Kinberg jumped on to rewrite the script.
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But, Keaton’s version ofThe Killer’s Gamewas lost when Intermedia, the film’s producing partner, shut down. It wasn’t until 2018 that development picked up again, this time with STX Films envisioningThe Killer’s Gameas an addition toJason Statham’s action movies. However,Statham left the movie a year later to pursue other projects, leading to Dave Bautista’s casting.
How Dave Bautista Managed To Get The Killer’s Game Made After Over 20 Years
The Actor Waited Four Years For Production To Begin
The road toThe Killer’s Game’s release is over 20 years long, but Dave Bautista is the one who finally managed to help get it made. Wesley Snipes, Michael Keaton, and Jason Statham all failed to bring the action movie adaptation of Jay Bonansinga’s book to the big screen. The simple reason why Bautista’s version happened when the others did not is patience.
The simple reason why Bautista’s version happened when the others did not is patience.
Snipes, Keaton, and Statham were all attached toThe Killer’s Gamefor two years or lessbefore moving on. Meanwhile, Bautista waited four years after his casting for production to begin. There was nearly a time when Dave Bautista could’ve joined Snipes, Keaton, and Statham as actors who failed to makeThe Killer’s Gametoo.
Where To Watch The Killer’s Game: Showtimes & Streaming Status
The Killer’s Game brings Dave Bautista back to the action movie genre, and there are different options to watch it in theaters or on streaming.
The movie was speeding through development when he was first cast in 2019, but the project hit roadblocks behind the scenes for the next four years. It wasn’t until Lionsgate took control of the movie in 2023 that production dates were lined up, Bautista’s supporting cast was announced, andThe Killer’s Gamefinally happened after all these years.
