Dave Bautista, known for his roles in franchises like ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and ‘Dune’, adds a new film project to his career titled ‘Afterburn’. This movie, based on a comic by Scott Chitwood and Paul Ens, has been in development for 15 years, finally culminating in a proposal directed by J. J. Perry, who previously worked with Bautista on the failed ‘The Killer’s Game’.
The big leap Bautista needs?
‘Afterburn’, which has a budget of 56 million dollars, is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where a social eruption has devastated most of the technology. In this context, the protagonist Jake, played by Bautista, becomes a treasure hunter, tasked with recovering the iconic Mona Lisa for a powerful figure.
The film features a notable cast that includes Olga Kurylenko, Samuel L. Jackson, and Kristofer Hivju, whom fans will remember as Tormund from ‘Game of Thrones’. Despite the strong presence of recognized actors, Bautista’s career in Hollywood has been peculiar, alternating between high-profile productions and less successful titles that seem more aligned with the catalog of video rental stores.
The production of ‘Afterburn’ has not been without setbacks; it has changed directors and screenwriters over the years before solidifying into its current form. Although a release date has not yet been announced, box office success is crucial given its high budget, as a poor reception could mean another significant failure in Bautista’s career.
The soundtrack of the film has been composed by the renowned Spanish musician Roque Baños, adding an additional layer to the anticipation surrounding this project. With such a prolonged development, expectations are high, and it will be interesting to see if ‘Afterburn’ manages to attract the audience that has been elusive to the actor’s recent collaborations.