Dave Bautista opens up about struggle to maintain new slim frame as fans share concerns

Dave Bautista has shared further details about his new slender frame after fans voiced their concerns on social media.

Longtime fans of the 55-year-old actor will perhaps best remember the Marvel star for his dominating physical prowess during his run as a pro-wrestler in WWE.

Dave Bautista is now sporting a slimmer frame. Credit: Steve Granitz / Getty

Towering well over six foot and absolutely jacked, the former WWE superstar - known simply as Batista during his time between the ropes - won six world championships and millions of fans around the globe thanks to his superhero physique.

Like many of big-name wrestlers, Bautista soon started receiving calls from Hollywood - and his incredible wrestler's physique saw him earn several roles as physically dominating characters. These include Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Mr. Hinx in the James Bond movie Spectre, and Everest in Hotel Artemis.

But as Bautista's career has continued, it's clear to viewers that he's so much more than just a "big guy" - he's a bonafide actor.

Bautista was known as "The Animal" back in WWE. Credit: J. Shearer / Getty

Earlier this month, Bautista walked the red carpet for his new movie, The Last Showgirl, at the Toronto International Film Festival. But after being photographed in a dashing black suit, many fans couldn't help but comment on the star's new slender frame.

"No way that's him," one person tweeted, with another adding: "What happened to Dave Bautista?"

During a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Bautista said: "I'm getting super trim, this is probably the lightest I've been since I was 19 years old."

He then added that the heaviest he's ever been was 370lbs.

Bautista then revealed that he was 315lbs for his role in 2023's Knock at the Cabin.

"Looking back at it, I probably over did it. I was probably a little too big, but at the time, I was just thinking, I gotta get big. And I put on an uncomfortable amount of weight, and it took me forever to shed it off."

As the former WWE champion dropped the pounds, Bautista says he started to feel a lot better about himself.

"I noticed the more I trimmed down, the better I felt," he said. "And I also noticed the more I trimmed down, the better I looked on camera, the better I look next to other actors.

"I’ll probably lose a few more pounds. I'm basically killing myself to be this trim. I'm training hard. My calories are pretty restricted."

The actor says he's sacrificed muscle, but he's okay with it. Credit: Steve Granitz / Getty

In a previous interview with Men's Health, Bautista revealed that he had cut out a lot of meat and dairy products and was now eating a predominantly plant-based diet - as well as adopting a more cardio-based workout regime - adding that he was focusing more on his health and longevity rather than looking bulky.

This was something he would elaborate on during his interview back in the summer on LIVE with Kelly and Mark, where he revealed: "I was trimming down, and I’ve sacrificed a lot of muscle. But I’m okay with it, because I just feel more comfortable."

Bautista has also been outspoken about his fears of being "typecast" as a big guy in movies - something he has actively tried to avoid over the years.

Dave Bautista says he's hoping to lose a few more pounds. Credit: Kayla Oaddams / Getty

During an interview with Digital Spy in 2017, he said: "When I first got into acting, everybody wanted these big, dumb muscle-heads. I really fought it.

"I turned down a lot of roles because I didn't want to be typecast as that guy. I wanted to do characters who are, you know, interesting and multi-layered."

Let's remember, just because Bautista isn't delivering Batista Bombs in the ring anymore to other 290lb behemoths, he is far from a small dude. It just seems that some fans are going to have to get used to seeing the former wrestler looking more slender than they remember.

Featured image credit: Steve Granitz / Getty