Dave Bautista says he won’t work with complainers on Hollywood sets
Actor emphasizes positivity, love of filmmaking and a long-standing bond with WWE while calling out negative attitudes on sets
Dave Bautista says he refuses to work with complainers and negative people on Hollywood film sets, telling Collider that life is too short and that he wants to collaborate only with people he loves and respects. "I’m just at the age and at the point of my life where life’s just too godd— short," he said. "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. You know?"
He noted he chose acting over wrestling about 15 years ago and that the decision wasn’t about leaving WWE but pursuing a passion. "I would still be involved with WWE, I hope. Because I really loved it," Bautista told BuzzFeed, referring to his deep ties to the WWE Universe. "It wasn’t that I ever wanted to not be a part of that universe because I love the WWE Universe. It was just that I became so passionate about acting, and I’m still pursuing it with everything I have, but I still love that world." He added that he maintains a good relationship with World Wrestling Entertainment and hopes the door remains open. In recent years, he continued to acknowledge his love for the company and the extended universe it represents.
On set attitudes on moviemaking: "You can’t have a bad attitude in moviemaking. It ruins everything for everyone, and then you don’t last long." He added, "It sucks when people have a crappy attitude," and warned that when someone acts discouraged about pursuing their dream on set, they should "pull your head out."
Last year, Chris Pratt publicly criticized fellow actors who showed up with a "crappy" attitude, saying there’s no room for such behavior on movie projects.
With current work on the action film Afterburn, Bautista has continued to balance large-scale productions with his commitment to positive work culture. He also has been seen at major industry events, including the New York premiere of Dune: Part Two in 2024 and the 97th Academy Awards in March 2025.
Industry observers say Bautista’s stance reflects a growing emphasis on collaborative environments, as studios emphasize teamwork and morale on sets.
