Former professional wrestler and rising Hollywood star Dave Bautista saw disappointing results for his latest action movie “The Killer’s Game.” The film earned only $3 million in its opening weekend despite costing $30 million to produce.
Released in September 2024, “The Killer’s Game” tells the story of a hitman who calls out a contract on himself after receiving a terminal cancer diagnosis, only to later learn the diagnosis was wrong. While the movie featured dramatic fight scenes and an emotional love story, critics had mixed responses. Review site Rotten Tomatoes showed 39% approval from professional reviewers but 80% audience rating.
Box office competition also made success difficult. “The Killer’s Game” debuted alongside the very popular horror sequel “Speak No Evil” and fantasy comedy “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” which earned over $100 million in its first weekend. Analysts note that Bautista has found his biggest roles as part of larger groups like in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Dune” franchises. They suggest he may need more distinctive leading parts before headlining his own films.
Despite the theatrical struggles, streaming services could still bring popularity. Many movies perform well after releasing on Netflix and similar platforms. Bautista’s upcoming projects like “Aang: The Last Airbender” and “Afterburn” may provide other chances to lead major pictures. He also recently acted in drama “The Last Showgirl” and runs a full slate of future films.
Off-camera, Bautista prepares to make his directorial debut by working with writer Kate Gersten on an unnamed personal project. While “The Killer’s Game” did not launch his hoped-for leading career, Bautista continues rising success behind and in front of the lens in Hollywood.
