Luca Guadagnino and Daniel Craig Are in Talks to Make Superhero Debut with DC Studios’ ‘Sgt. Rock’
Justin Kuritzkes, who wrote "Queer," is rumored to have a script for the comic book adaptation.
by Samantha Bergeson · IndieWireLuca Guadagnino and Daniel Craig might have another novel adaptation in the works after collaborating together on “Queer.” But this rumored adaptation isn’t Burroughs; it’s actually a comic book.
According to a Deadline report, auteur Guadagnino and lead star Craig are in talks to bring DC Studios‘ “Sgt. Rock” to the screen. Deadline noted that no deals have been confirmed between DC Studios, Craig, or Guadagnino. DC Studios did not respond to a request for comment.
The character of Sgt. Franklin John Rock, assumed to be played by Craig given the report, was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert for the 1959 DC issue, “Our Army at War.” Like Craig’s “Queer” character, Rock is a WWII veteran. Rock landed his own comic book series, which ran from 1977 to 1988.
Variety cited that Justin Kuritzkes, who wrote “Challengers” and “Queer,” has a script for the DC feature.
Craig will be starring in the third “Knives Out” film, “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.” He reprises his role as detective Benoit Blanc in the Rian Johnson franchise.
“Challengers” filmmaker Guadagnino, meanwhile, is in post-production on Amazon MGM Studios’ “After the Hunt, which stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield. Guadagnino will next remake “American Psycho,” which is rumored to star Jacob Elordi. Scott Z. Burns (“Extrapolations,” “The Bourne Ultimatum”) will adapt Bret Easton Ellis’ novel for the screen. Christian Bale led the original 2000 film alongside Guadagnino’s frequent collaborator Chloë Sevigny; Mary Harron co-wrote and directed the classic film.
Additionally, Guadagnino will work with his “Challengers” actor Josh O’Connor (who also stars alongside Craig in “Wake Up Dead Man”) for the “Separate Rooms” adaptation. Léa Seydoux is set to also lead the feature which is a queer drama based on the novel of the same name by late author Pier Vittorio Tondelli. O’Connor will play the lead role Leo, an Italian writer who is mourning the death of his musician boyfriend Thomas. Seydoux is the woman with whom Leo embarks on a relationship. Guadagnino’s “We Are Who We Are” collaborator Francesca Manieri is writing the script. “Separate Rooms” will be produced by Lorenzo Mieli under his deal with Fremantle, which was also behind Guadagnino’s “Bones and All” and “Queer.”
Guadagnino is also helming a music video for “Queer” star Omar Apollo.