Dave Bautista Marks 'End of a Journey' as He Wraps Filming His Final 'Guardians' Movie as Drax

Dave Bautista as Drax the Destroyer inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2(2017).Photo: Everett

Dave Bautistais bidding a fond (and emotional) farewell to his Marvel Cinematic Universe character, Drax the Destroyer.

The 53-year-old actor and former professional wrestlerposted to Instagramon Monday to mark the end of filmingGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, sharing a photo of himself with costarsChris Pratt,Karen Gillan,Sean GunnandPom Klementieff, as well as the movie’s writer-directorJames Gunn.

“Haven’t found the words yet,” Bautista wrote in the caption. “It ended so suddenly and I was on to my next film before I could process it all.”

James, 55, Gillan, 34, and Klementieff, 36, all commented with red heart emojis, while their costarZoe Saldañawrote, “You guys rock!! ❤️❤️.”

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Jamesshared the same phototo Instagram Friday night, writing, “And that’s a picture wrap on the Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy. I love this amazing cast & crew & their beautiful talent & kind souls. I’m a lucky human to have them on the journey with me for nearly a decade.”

The director also teased, “And yes Zoe was with us but the only picture I have with her hasan unannounced actor with us!”

“Love you guardians! Yes I was there but left early cause I’m an old tired mama! Hahahahahahaha,” Saldaña, 43, wrote in a comment.

James laterposted an image of a film slatefrom the set, sharing that they filmed over 100 days with “over 3,000 shots.”

“It is somewhat simple to explain to others how much I love this cast & crew. It is more difficult to explain how much I love these characters - that I see them as parts of myself & parts of those I love, & filming them, & writing their words, is a way of expressing that love,” he added, in part.

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Bautista chatted with PEOPLE last summer after wrapping filming onThor: Love and Thunderearlier in 2021, saying at the time, “I don’t know if they’ll move forward with the character or withGuardiansat all [afterVol. 3].”

“I’ll probably have to do a table read but they would really even have to force me to do that. I like going in with no expectations, you know, because I’m a fan,” he added.

Of wrappingGuardians 3, Bautista — who has played Drax in theGuardiansfilms as well asAvengers: Infinity War(2018) andAvengers: Endgame(2019) — said at the time, “That will bethe end of my Drax journey.”

“It’s been a hell of a journey with this cast andGuardiansand the whole Marvel Universe,” he told PEOPLE. “I feel like it really launched my career. And I’m kind of wrapping up that part of my journey, so it’s very much a bittersweet thing.”

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3opens in theaters May 5, 2023.

source: people.com