‘Universe’s Most Wanted’: Dave Bautista Is An Alien Bounty Hunter In Brad Peyton’s Sci-Fi Adventure Movie
By Hoai-Tran Bui/April 14, 2021 2:30 pm EST
As one of the stars of Guardians of the Galaxy, Dave Bautista knows a thing or two about aliens, so why not hunt them? That’s what he’ll be doing in his newest feature film project, Universe’s Most Wanted, a sci-fi adventure movie directed by Brad Peyton, who has helmed disaster flicks like Rampage and San Andreas.
Here’s the synopsis for Universe’s Most Wanted, via the press release:
The movie sounds slightly smaller-scale than Peyton’s last few movies, both of which are disaster movies of the near-global scale (Rampage threw in a monster movie twist, too). Not that this isn’t big — it’s still a huge bombastic sci-fi action flick — but the small-town setting and the “ragtag” group sounds comparatively refreshing. And Bautista in the leading man role is a great sell, even if the movies around him aren’t always as great as he is.
In Universe’s Most Wanted, a small town gets a big surprise when a spaceship carrying the universe’s most wanted and dangerous criminals crash lands in their backyard. Soon the sheriff and his son become heroes when they find themselves helping an intergalactic peacekeeper (Bautista) to keep the ragtag group of alien prisoners from escaping and taking over the world.
“When I first read Scott and Jimmy’s script, I was sold, as it’s the exact type of big, fun sci-fi tentpole I’ve been looking to do,” Peyton said. “What struck me the most was how much heart it had and how much nostalgia it triggered. It reminds me of the great Amblin movies of my childhood. Dave agreeing to play the lead was the icing on the cake.”
Peyton will also produce Universe’s Most Wanted via his production company ASAP Entertainment, along with ASAP’s Jeff Fierson. In addition to starring, Bautista will produce via his production company Dream Bros Entertainment, along with Dream Bros’ Jonathan Meisner. The film will also be produced by AGC Studios’ Stuart Ford. AGC’s Miguel Palos Jr. and Linda McDonough are executive producing alongside Carsten Lorenz.
Universal’s Most Wanted is currently in pre-production and is scheduled to begin shooting in Melbourne, Australia in late July.
