Recently it was reported that Game of Thrones and Conan star Jason Momoa was in talks to play Drax the Destroyer in Marvel’s upcoming movie Guardians of the Galaxy.

But, as is sometimes the case, that news was inaccurate. Momoa was merely in the running for the role. Instead, it’s being reported that former WWE star and current MMA fighter Dave Bautista has signed on for the role of Drax.

In comic book lore, Drax the Destroyer was once a human named Arthur Douglas who was killed when he and his family were attacked by Thanos. His spirit was then taken by Kronos and put into the body of Drax to create a superhuman who could take out Thanos. His abilities include super strength and resilience, flight, and an energy blast his can project from his hands.

Bautista, who wrestled under the name “Batista” in WWE years, recently appeared in RZA’s The Man with the Iron Fists, and will also be starring in the new Chronicles of Riddick entry with Vin Diesel, Riddick.

Guardians of the Galaxy also stars Chris Pratt (Zero Dark Thirty, Moneyball), and will be directed by James Gunn (Slither, Super). It will be released on August 1, 2014.

[Source: Heat Vision]