Dave Bautista is all but assured a spot in James Gunn’s new DCU, but who exactly he will play still remains a mystery. Formerly a pro wrestling face in the WWE known simply by his last name, Dave Bautista has since proven himself time and time again as a genuinely excellent actor. While Bautista became a household name for his portrayal of Drax the Destroyer in Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, he’s also claimed rave reviews for his roles in films like Blade Runner 2049 and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.

Bautista seems to be essentially guaranteed a role in the upcoming DCU, but the actor recently admitted that at 55, Bautista himself feels too old to play Bane, his dream DC character. While Bautista suggested an older Lex Luthor as another possibility for him that might require less physicality, the DCU has since cast Nicholas Hoult as the famous Superman villain. Luckily, DC has no shortage of as-of-yet unannounced characters that Bautista might be perfect for.

9 Dr. Hugo Strange

Bautista Could Offer A Musclebound Take On The Sinister Psychologist

Being a musclebound former pro wrestler, it’s no surprise that David Bautista has been somewhat typecast in roles as brutish characters. Even his heady performance in Blade Runner 2049 required him to put someone through a wall, and his time as the evil warlord Glossu Rabban Harkonnen in the Dune duology suggested a character with more brawn than brains. But Bautista is capable of playing incredibly intelligent characters, and a role as Dr. Hugo Strange could prove this to DC fans.

Dr. Hugo Strange is a brilliant but sadistic psychologist usually associated with Arkham Asylum in the Batman mythos. Typically biding his time on the psychiatric facility’s staff before one of his foul schemes is uncovered by Batman, Strange is a manipulative, cunning individual who regularly gives Batman the most trouble out of any of his villains despite a lack of superpowers. Bautista could truly shine as a beefy, intimidating incarnation of Dr. Hugo Strange, who has yet to make a live-action film appearance.

8 Etrigan The Demon

A Demonic Hero With A Curious Manner Of Speech

Despite his fearsome appearance, Etrigan is actually something of a hero, if a morally complicated one, who would be thrilling to see adapted for the first time in live-action via Bautista. Jason Blood is a prominent demonologist in Gotham City who turns out to be an immortal knight of King Arthur’s round table, containing within him the demon Etrigan. In a magical transformation, Blood is capable of handing control over to the demon, using his powers for good despite his vile intentions.

Bautista would be the perfect choice to represent Jason Blood, Etrigan, or both, being no stranger to hours in the makeup chair thanks to his time as Drax the Destroyer. Bautista’s delivery of Drax’s offbeat lines also proves he could likely handle Etrigan’s unique way of talking, referring to himself in the third person and frequently rhyming his words. Etrigan is just the kind of obscure oddball DC character that James Gunn’s upcoming DCU seems to be fond of, and would be a perfect choice for Bautista’s unique talents.

7 Vandal Savage

DC’s Immortal Mastermind

Dr. Hugo Strange isn’t the only mastermind DC villain that has yet to get his time in a live-action film. Bautista could easily threaten the DCU’s version of the Justice League with a performance as Vandal Savage, an immortal warlord and tyrant who has stealthily influenced world events for thousands of years. Originally little more than a prehistoric Cro-Magnon man, an encounter with a strange magical meteorite left Vandal Savage immortal, allowing him to vie for domination of the Earth for 50,000 years.

Regardless of his humble origins as a cave dweller, Vandal Savage is extremely intelligent, cunning, and shrewd, having accumulated eons of knowledge over his long life. Bautista would be perfect for this intricate blend of sophistication, savagery, and cruelty. He would also likely wear Vandal Savage’s signature facial scars incredibly well, making for a captivating image on the silver screen.

6 Bizarro

Superman’s Famous Double Somehow Hasn’t Been In A Movie Before

Despite being one of Superman’s most famous villains, Bizarro has somehow never made it to the big screen. Bizarro’s origins vary wildly from interpretation to interpretation, sometimes being from another dimension, while other teams being a failed attempt at creating a clone of Superman. No matter what, he always appears as a disfigured version of the Man of Steel with similar powers and a diminutive intellect. Bizarro has appeared in Superman & Lois, but never showed up in a Superman movie.

Admittedly, the idea of Bautista as a simple-minded strong character might not be doing his acting abilities justice. But his time as Drax the Destroyer seems to prove him as tailor-made to play Bizarro, and could easily serve as a comedic villain that plays off his misconceptions about the world. Not only that, but his ability to withstand the makeup chair would once again come in handy with Bizarro’s trademark gray, geometric skin.

5 Killer Croc

Another Batman Villain Bautista Could Tackle

Dave Bautista cited the physicality of Bane as the reason he no longer feels up to the task of playing what was once his dream role. At this point in Bautista’s career, it’s harder to justify the level of physical exertion it would take to live up to the expectations of such a grotesquely muscular DC villain. But another Batman brute Bautista might be able to pivot to is none other than Killer Croc, played once in live action before by Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje in Suicide Squad.

While Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje’s makeup left something to be desired, Bautista could perhaps voice a CGI version of the character that allows his design to get truly monstrous, at no expense to Bautista’s own health. Bautista has cut his teeth in voice acting as The Parakeet King in The Boy and the Heron, and could even use his pro-wrestling experience to aid the character’s art with motion capture technology. Bautista’s steely voice, intimidating presence, and clear enthusiasm for Batman villains might make for a great Killer Croc.

4 Darkseid

The End-All-Be-All Of DC Villains

Few villains are as synonymous with evil and danger in the DC Universe as the alien conqueror Darkseid. Essentially DC’s version of Thanos, Darkseid is an incredibly powerful cosmic warlord who strikes fear in the hearts of beings across the galaxy with his deadly omega beams. Darkseid previously appeared briefly in Justice League, though the DCEU’s movies never progressed enough to see him truly enter the stage as a main player.

As previously mentioned, Bautista has the experience, skill, and star power to pull off such an iconic character. Darkseid might not be overtly muscular, but would still take advantage of Bautista’s inherently dangerous physique and commanding presence. While the DCU might be hesitant to introduce Darkseid too soon considering the DCEU’s recent failures in generating hype with the character, when they do get around to it, Bautista might be an excellent choice for the figurehead villain.

3 Clayface

A Natural Actor Through And Through

While many as-of-yet uncast DC roles could take advantage of Bautista’s acting skill, none might be as obvious as Batman’s Clayface. In many interpretations, Clayface was once an actor, now using his unique biology to shapeshift into entirely different bodies and faces to pull off the ultimate performance. Movie after movie, David Bautista has demonstrated that he has the acting range to pull off any character Clayface might be able to muster up.

Once again, Clayface’s monstrous form implies a largely vocal performance, something that Bautista should have no problem with. But the villain’s ability to mimic anyone he sees means that Bautista himself could act alongside Batman and his companions in the flesh, disguising himself before unleashing Clayface’s amorphous powers. Even if he isn’t as important of a character, it’d be amazing to see Clayface finally represented in live-action by Bautista.

2 Kilowog

One Of The Most Important Green Lanter Corps members

While most of the characters that come to mind when ideating on Bautista’s future in the DCU are villainous in nature, that isn’t necessarily the case for every worthy role. James Gunn seems to confirm the importance of the Green Lantern corps in the DCU thanks to the presence of Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, a famously hot-headed Lantern with a ginger bowl cut. Kilowog would be another fantastic addition to Gunn’s Green Lantern corps outside of Hal Jordan or John Stewart.

A towering bestial alien, Kilowog is an imposing force for good on behalf of the Green Lanterns, being one of the most experienced members of the group in many comic runs. The primary trainer of Green Lantern corps recruits, Kilowog could see plenty of screentime in a Green Lantern solo film. Bautista’s ability to project gruffness and care in equal measure could make him a great choice to voice the no-nonsense alien defender, joining the ranks of Michael Clarke Duncan.

1 Atrocitus

Could Expand The Lore Of The Lanterns

The Green Lanterns are far from the only Lanterns in DC Comics’ lengthy spectrum of spacefaring ring wielders. Lantern rings also come in similar colors, with each representing a primal emotion. Green represents Willpower, Yellow represents Fear, Blue represents Hope, and a singular Orange Lantern represents greed.

Atrocitus is the founder and leader of the Red Lanterns, whose crimson rings burn with rage above all else. An utterly unique being, Atrocitus is the only one capable of using a Red Lantern ring without becoming a mindless beast overtaken by rage. Bautista is certainly capable of getting angry in his performances, and a shouting match as Atrocitus would be a welcome spectacle for his DCU appearance.

However, Atrocitus’ partner Dex-Starr, a simple house cat also somehow wielding a Red Lantern ring, would allow opportunities for levity amidst the chaos. Whether acting in full makeup or providing the voice for a dazzling CGI model, Atrocitus is just one of many great roles waiting for Bautista in the DCU.