We all know that studios and executives can present roadblocks in making movies, but I am so glad that James Gunn pushed to get one actor cast in the Guardians of the Galaxy movies. When the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) first began, it appears as though the nascent Marvel Studios was more willing to take risks. After all, the entire MCU was built on the foundation of casting Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, a decision which was not very popular with executives.

However, as the MCU grew, and it left behind the indie studio vibes that it had at the beginning, they began to tighten their grip on their projects, and develop a more clear set of expectations about what it wanted to produce. And while the studio had the foresight to hire James Gunn as the director for Guardians of the Galaxy, they had some the director presented for his film. And honestly, seeing how the movies turned out, it wouldn't have made sense with anybody else.

Ahead of Guardians of the Galaxy's release, that appeared to be largely detached from the rest of the MCU up to that point. And this only continued to be the discussion when actors like Chris Pratt was announced to play Star-Lord, a primarily comedy actor, now tagged to play the role of an intergalactic superhero. Likewise, Vin Diesel was cast as the voice of Groot, and no one knew how that would work. Zoe Saldaña as Gamora, Bradley Cooper as the voice of Rocket Raccoon, and Dave Bautista, a former wrestler turned actor, as Drax.

All around, this lineup seemed odd. However, this odd group of characters from various backgrounds quickly became a family, and the trilogy became one of the most iconic and beloved parts of the MCU. From unassuming losers, to some of the Galaxy's best heroes, and characters who would deliver such emotional gut-punches throughout their stories. Honestly, , and it speaks to his ability to envision his characters and tag the right actors.

And yet, James Gunn initially got a lot of pushback for one casting in particular, as reported by The Independent. While there were arguments to be made about each of the castings and why they didn't make a lot of sense, Marvel Studios were more . The former pro wrestler began acting in 2004, but evidently, his career on the big screen was yet to take off.

However, anyone who has watched the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy knows just how integral Drax is to the movies. He is hilarious, and his simple approach often helps to inject humor and emotion in a way that resonates more with audiences of all ages. But before he got the part, it seems like , and he had to fight hard to get his way and ensure Bautista landed the role of Drax.

The reality is that Bautista did an incredible job as Drax. He is a perfect match physically, and obviously his history as a wrestler, shaping up and building this physique contributed in no small part to make this work. But what came as more of a surprise was , and excel in this fantastical universe of stories. Of course, he could handle the action scenes and fighting, but the quieter moments where he connects with the other Guardians are so important to the trilogy.

Drax gradually opens up more as the series continues, and this leads to him sharing the incredible range of emotions that he experiences, which may be masked by his anger and intensity. But just below that surface, Drax is in pain. He misses his family, and his relationship with the Guardians helps to heal some of those wounds, but he has been forever changed. Bautista was essential for making this character work, and he did an incredible job in the role, thanks to James Gunn fighting for this casting in the movies.