Dave Bautista Says Working With Robert Downey Jr. Was 'A Dream Come True'

Shooting a movie in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is an ultimate goal for many actors, and for Dave Bautista, known for his on-screen role as Drax the Destroyer, he achieved that a few times over. And though Guardians of the Galaxy and its sequel were seriously cool experiences for the relatively new-to-Hollywood actor, it was working with Robert Downey Jr. on the recently shot Avengers: Infinity War that was particularly special. 

"It was pretty surreal, man, it was pretty surreal," the actor told Entertainment Weekly when discussing what it was like filming Infinity War. "I've been a fan of Robert Downey Jr. [who plays Iron Man in the film] since I was very young, and watched him perform my whole life, growing, up. Working with him was a surreal dream come true."

Bautista continued, revealing that he and Downey Jr. had brushed shoulders prior to ever collaborating. One specific instance stood out to Bautista, as it marked the moment his acting idol acknowledged and complimented his work. 

"The cool thing about that is, I had met him well before we worked together, and well before they announced the Guardians were even going to be a part of Avengers," explained Bautista. "He went out of his way to come up, and compliment me about my performance in [the first] Guardians, which was something special to me, especially at that point, where I was just starting my career. He literally went out of his way to come up, and tell me how much he loved my performance, and loved Guardians of the Galaxy, and that meant the world to me. It put me at ease with him. Those are were my best memories, on the set of Avengers, was working with him, because I looked up to him for so many years as a performer."

We think we speak for everyone in saying that story is seriously heartwarming, but we can't say the same for the plot of Infinity War. Not much is known about the super-sized superhero flick, but based on the footage shown at D23 Expo in Anaheim and San Diego Comic-Con earlier this year, tensions between the recently teamed-up Earth's Mightiest Heroes and everyone's favorite galaxy-savers and their many opponents will be at an all-time high. A massive battle is ahead, but at least we know that it was sunny and sweet on the film's set. 

Joining Bautista and Downey Jr. for Infinity War are Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Benedict Cumberbatch (Doctor Strange), Tom Holland (Peter Parker/Spider-Man), Chris Evans (Steve Rogers/Captain America), Chris Pratt (Peter Quill/Star-Lord), Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk), Paul Bettany (J.A.R.V.I.S. and the Vision), Elizabeth Olsen (Scarlet Witch), Pom Klementieff (Mantis), Karen Gillan (Nebula), Don Cheadle (James Rhodes/War Machine), Sebastian Stan (Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier), and Anthony Mackie (Sam Wilson/Falcon). 

Avengers: Infinity War is set for release on May 4, 2018. In the meantime, check out all the superheroes who will appear in the film.