WWE legend and actor Dave Bautista recently opened up about his dramatic weight loss transformation, which has captivated fans. After bulking up to an uncomfortable 315 pounds for his role in the 2023 M. Night Shyamalan film Knock at the Cabin, Bautista realized he needed to slim down. In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, he explained that he put on weight rapidly for the role, indulging in foods like french fries and pancakes to achieve the “great big guy” look required for the character. However, the extra weight left him feeling uncomfortable, prompting his decision to trim down after filming wrapped.
Bautista, who is now the lightest he has been since he was 19 years old, credits jiu-jitsu for helping him shed the excess pounds. He also follows a strict intermittent fasting regimen, eating around 2,500 calories a day. Though fans have expressed concern over his slimmer frame, Bautista emphasized that, at 6’4″ and 240 pounds, he is still a large person—just smaller compared to his past wrestling days or his portrayal of Drax the Destroyer in Guardians of the Galaxy. Despite his current size, some fans are worried about his health due to the drastic change, but Bautista clarified that he’s still a “big person” next to typical actors.
Looking back, Bautista admitted he might have gone overboard with the weight gain for the movie but says he feels much better now after slimming down. “The more I trimmed down, the better I felt and looked on camera,” he shared, adding that his intense cardio training has come at the cost of some muscle mass. Even so, he is okay with that trade-off because he feels more comfortable in his body now.
Bautista, who retired from professional wrestling in 2019 to focus on his acting career, is dedicated to maintaining his fitness and avoiding being typecast in similar roles. He noted that his transformation has left him looking like an entirely different person, but he’s content with the changes, saying, “I’m basically killing myself to be this trim, but I feel good about it.”
