My Spy Stars Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman Discu...

The costars reunite in the sequel ‘My Spy The Eternal City’

Dave Bautista and costar Chloe Coleman have developed a strong bond.

During a July 16 appearance on Today with Hoda & Jenna, the two actors reflected on the family-like bond that formed while on the set of the 2020 comedy My Spy and its new sequel, My Spy The Eternal City.

“These are my buddies,” said 15-year-old Coleman of Bautista, 55, and costar Ken Jeong, also 55. “I really love them.”

The Guardians of the Galaxy actor agreed, joking that he is Coleman’s dad and Jeong is her uncle. “I couldn’t love her any more if she were my own child,” said Bautista.

After several TV roles, including on Big Little Lies, Coleman booked her first big movie role in 2020’s My Spy, where she played 9-year-old Sophie, who blackmails a CIA agent (Bautista) into training her to become a spy.

Dave Bautista and Chloe Coleman.GABE GINSBERG/WIREIMAGE

Though the pair reunited on screen for the sequel, in which a teenaged Sophie collaborates with the same CIA operative to foil a terrorist plot at the Vatican, Coleman and Bautista kept in touch, even while not on set.

For instance, back in March, Bautista stopped by a dress rehearsal for his costar’s high school production of She Kills Monsters.

“I think what’s so special about our friendship is that he comes even out of work to support me,” said Coleman. “That meant the world to me, and it was so exciting that you were there.”

“Because I love you and I’m so proud of you,” Bautista said.

During his Today appearance, Bautista revealed that while he and Coleman were doing press for the original My Spy film Coleman was asked if Bautista had a tattoo of Winnie-the-Pooh during a game of “how well do you know your costar.”

“She went on and on first and said, ‘Well a lot of people might think Dave is intimidating and mean, but I know him. He’s such a loving guy and he’s gentle. So yes, he does have a Winnie-the-Pooh tattoo,’ ” said Bautista.

Chloe Coleman and Dave Bautista.GRAHAM BARTHOLOMEW/PRIME

But Coleman had been mistaken. “So that’s when I said, ‘I’m going to get one just for you,’ ” said Bautista, showing the spot on the back of his right ankle where the character is now inked.

“To me, that was so special,” said Coleman. “And a tattoo is forever.” Bautista added: “Well, I just didn’t want her to be wrong.”

Coleman told Variety that Bautista is “like a best friend” and a “father figure.”

“The coolest thing about how I’ve gotten to know Dave is that I knew him when I was 9 turning 10. I’ve grown with him over the years, and I am now 15,” she said. “That’s crazy to me to have someone so special in my life for that long because even though I work with him, he is like a father figure outside of work. From day one, I knew I was gonna love him. He’s epic. He’s like a best friend.”

My Spy The Eternal City is now on Prime Video.