It looks like Daniel Craig‘s reunion with “Queer” director Luca Guadagnino won’t be happening; at least not on “Sgt. Rock,” at least. Variety reports that the ex-James Bond actor isn’t involved in Guadagnino’s upcoming DCU project. The news follows up on a report from last November with Craig attached to the Sgt. Rock role, but apparently, the actor never formally committed to the film.
And that leads one to speculate if Guadagnino will make “Sgt. Rock” at all. The Italian auteur and “Queer” and “Challengers” scribe Justin Kuritzkes will team up again to adapt the comic character, which Warner Bros. has attempted to make into a film before to no avail. That comes with little surprise. Sgt. Rock is a relic of a bygone era: a non-commissioned US Army officer who leads his Easy Company unit through various battles in World War II. With no superpowers, a movie based on the character would essentially be a standard war picture, which isn’t a bad thing, but not an IP that screams novelty for Gunn and Safran‘s new cinematic universe.
But despite Craig’s exit, Variety confirms that all involved are now searching for a new leading man for the film, which means it’s almost certainly Guadagnino’s next project. Craig already has a couple of commitments in front of the camera in 2025 anyway: finishing up Rian Johnson‘s upcoming “Knives Out” mystery “Wake Up Dead Man,” and “Two For The Money” with Charlize Theron over at Apple Studios. As for who will replace Craig on “Sgt. Rock’? Pick any gruff, handsome A-lister off the top of your head, and they’re as good a choice as any.
As “Sgt. Rock” continues development, Guadagnino has the press tour for “After The Hunt” to prepare for. Focus Features slated the upcoming academic thriller starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri for an October theatrical release last week. That means it likely heads to the Liod for a world premiere at the Venice Film Festival; Guadagnino has had six of his films premiere there.
Guadagnino is also attached to an “American Psycho” adaptation at Lionsgate starring Austin Butler and “Separate Rooms,” a gay romance with “Challengers” star Josh O’Connor, but stay tuned if those come to fruition.
