When Highlander begins filming later this month, Dave Bautista will be ready — but not without some bruises. Speaking with Collider’s Michael Zimmermann, the actor detailed his rigorous preparation for Chad Stahelski’s upcoming reboot, calling it one of the most demanding but rewarding experiences of his career.
“I’ve been training for months now. I think I started training before I even had the role. I had the conversation and I knew that Chad wanted me, and he asked me if I’d go over to [London] and start training. And I did. And then a couple of weeks later, the contracts were signed, and I was on my way to London.”
Bautista has been in London since late August, squeezing in training between other projects, like his role in the upcoming Jake Gyllenhaal sequel, Road House 2, and if we’re being honest here, his schedule sounds relentless:
“I’ve been training since then, with a couple weeks in California. So I’ve been training for quite a bit. And it’s a grind. Not only did I have… the physical stuff, the stunt training, the sword fight training, the fight training. But Chad has also asked me to put on a few pounds, so I’ve been on weight training on top of that as well. So it’s been a grind.”

‘Higlander’ Is Challenging Bautista in New Ways

He went on to describe how Highlander marks a new kind of challenge for him — physically, mentally, and stylistically. That says a lot given the kind of physical roles Bautista has taken on since his days wrestling in WWE. “This is the first time ever in my career that I’ve actually had to juggle films where I’m going from one film to the other,” he added. “So mentally it’s a little stressful as well. But I am not complaining. These are like champagne problems. These are dream roles for me.” Though Bautista confirmed that production was slightly delayed due to Henry Cavill’s recent injury, he added that filming begins November 28, with his training continuing until then. And while Highlander may share DNA with Stahelski’s John Wick series, Bautista said its fight design and tone are entirely distinct.
“These films are just so different. Highlander [is] so stylized. Highlander is a game changer. It’s like a real game changer.”
The actor also touched on how his years of wrestling, martial arts, and action work have given him a foundation, but nothing could fully prepare him for this kind of choreography, and while Bautista kept quiet about plot specifics, his enthusiasm for the project — and for Stahelski’s vision — was unmistakable.
What’s ‘Trap House’ About?

Before Bautista begins wielding swords and immortality in Highlander, fans can catch him on the big screen in Trap House, which arrives in theaters November 14. Trap House follows an undercover DEA agent (Bautista) and his partner in El Paso, Texas, on a game of cat and mouse with a surprising enemy – their teenage kids. These teenagers appropriated their parents’ tactics and intelligence to pull off a daring heist, robbing a dangerous cartel. Trap House is directed by Michael Dowse, who previously helmed Arnold Schwarzenegger-led FUBAR, and will also feature Bobby Cannavale, Jack Champion — who gained international attention as Spider in James Cameron’s Avatar: The Way of Water — It star Sophia Lillis, Kate del Castillo(Bad Boys For Life) and Whitney Peak (Gossip Girl), along with Inde Navarrette, Zaire Adams, and Blu del Barrio (Star Trek: Discovery). Highlander begins filming November 28 under director Chad Stahelski, with Henry Cavill, Dave Bautista and Russell Crowe leading the cast. Trap House is in theaters November 14.

Trap House

Release Date

November 14, 2025

Director

Michael Dowse

Writers

Gary Scott Thompson

Producers

Michael A. Pruss, Marc Goldberg, Sarah Gabriel, Dave Bautista, Rebecca Feuer, Todd Lundbohm