When Polygon first spoke to
Guardians of the Galaxy star Dave Bautista about his role as sensitive widowed dad and action hero Scott Ward in Zack Snyder’s new Netflix movie
Army of the Dead, Bautista had just been cast in Rian Johnson’s
Knives Out 2, and he was still reeling a little about the way his career is taking off. “It’s a little bit surreal at the moment,” he says. “I’m 52 years old and my career is just getting started.”
Technically, though, this is Bautista’s second career: His first, as an MMA fighter and WWE wrestler, made him a four-time World Heavyweight Championship and two-time WWE Championship winner. Acting gave him a new outlet, initially playing police, pushers, and fighters before he became a breakout star as Drax the Destroyer in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movies. And he says he has a third career in mind: He wants to direct movies, and soon. He says acting has pulled him away from his career plan “These are good problems to have
One final warning before we begin:
huge spoilers for Army of the Dead follow, including character deaths and whether discussions have even taken place about Army of the Dead 2 yet. So turn back now if you haven’t watched or finished the movie.
Army of the Dead ending explained: Bly Tanaka’s real plan revealed
(Image credit: Netflix)
Before we dive into how Army of the Dead’s ending might set up a sequel, let’s recount the events that lead up to, and include, its finale.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada) isn’t interested in reclaiming the $200 million he has squirreled away in his Las Vegas casino vault. Instead, he wants to help the US Government obtain a zombie sample so that they can control their own army of zombies – the “ultimate biological weapon” as Tanaka’s head of security Martin (Garret Dillahunt) tells Lily (Nora Arnezeder).
Shay [Hatten, co-writer] and I know exactly what happens next and it’s insane. I’d make it in a second. What we have planned is too crazy. Once we knew Vanderohe was bit, and he’s going to Mexico City, I was like, ‘You know what’s gonna happen?’ And then I just went on a tear. And by the time it ended, Shay was like, ‘OK.’”
Synopsis:
From Zack Snyder (300, Justice League). ARMY OF THE DEAD takes place following a zombie outbreak. One that left Las Vegas in ruins and walled off from the rest of the world. Enter Scott Ward (Dave Bautista). A displaced Vegas local, former zombie war hero. He’s now flipping burgers on the outskirts of the town he now calls home. But then he’s approached by casino boss Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada). And he has the ultimate proposition. Break into the zombie-infested quarantine zone to retrieve $200 million sitting in a vault beneath the strip. Before the city is nuked by the government in 32 hours. Driven by the hope that