Gears 5 is almost ready for launch, but developer The Coalition still has a few surprises up its sleeve before the game's launch this week, and it comes in the form of actor and former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista.

Bautista - known mostly for his run in the WWE as Batista and for his role as Drax the destroyer for Guardians of the Galaxy - announced today on his twitter that he will be joining the cast of Gears 5.

"It's about damn time," he said on Twitter, referring to the actor's long-standing desire to play Marcus Fenix in a Gears of War movie adaptation.

The Coalition confirmed in the wrestling news website The Bleacher Report that Bautista will be incorporated into Gears 5 as a multiplayer skin, with the character being based on his wrestling persona Batista.

“It’s been a long time coming, but I couldn’t be happier that we’re finally making Dave’s dream to be in Gears of War a reality in Gears 5" stated The Coalition studio head Rod Fergusson. "The iconic, larger-than-life persona of Batista fits perfectly in the Gears of War Universe, and the entire team at The Coalition can’t wait to see him take on the Swarm and all other challengers in multiplayer."

Batista will be the second guest character to join Gears 5, the first being Sarah Connor from the Terminator series, with actress Linda Hamilton reprising the role.

The character of Batista will be available in collaboration with the WWE, with Bautista using the announcement to promote the upcoming pay-per-view show WWE Clash of Champions on September 15th. Players will be able to play as Batista after Clash of Champions finishes.

Gears 5 will be released on September 10th for the Xbox One and Microsoft Windows, with Game Pass Ultimate members and those who pre-order the game able to start on September 6th.

What are your thoughts on Bautista in Gears 5? Is it a good fit? Want to see him as Marcus Fenix in the future? Leave your comments below.