Daniel Craig Bows Out of DC’s Sgt. Rock
Looks like Daniel Craig won’t be trading in his tux for combat boots after all! The former James Bond star has officially stepped away from the DC Comics war flick Sgt. Rock, leaving fans and Hollywood insiders buzzing about what went wrong—and who might step in to replace him.
Why Did Craig Walk Away?
Rumors first emerged in November that Craig might play the title role in Sgt. Rock, the upcoming DC Studios film directed by Queer filmmaker Luca Guadagnino and penned by Justin Kuritzkes. However, despite the excitement, a source close to the project has confirmed that Craig never actually signed on the dotted line. Meanwhile, a rep for DC Studios has declined to comment.
So, what happened? While no official reason has been given, insiders speculate that scheduling conflicts with Craig’s wife, actress Rachel Weisz, may have played a role. Others say that Craig lost interest after Queer failed to make waves at the box office and in the awards circuit.
Who’s the Next Sgt. Rock?
With Craig out, DC isn’t wasting any time. The studio hopes to begin shooting the war epic this summer and is already eyeing other actors for the lead role. One name floating around is The Bear star Jeremy Allen White.
For those unfamiliar with Sgt. Rock, the character made his DC Comics debut back in 1959. Unlike the caped crusaders of the DC Universe, Rock is a grizzled non-commissioned officer leading Easy Company through World War II’s European battlefields. (He does, however, eventually end up as chief of staff for none other than Lex Luthor.)
Craig’s Next Moves
While Sgt. Rock won’t be added to Craig’s resume, he’s hardly short on work. He’s slated to reprise his role as the ever-dapper detective Benoit Blanc in Wake Up Dead Man, the third installment of Rian Johnson’s Knives Out series. He’s also set to star alongside Charlize Theron in Two for the Money, directed by Justin Lin for Apple Studios.
Guadagnino Is Keeping Busy
Guadagnino isn’t slowing down either. The Italian director is set to release his Julia Roberts thriller After the Hunt this October. He will also produce a new take on American Psycho starring Austin Butler and an adaptation of the LGBTQ+ romance novel Separate Rooms, featuring Josh O’Connor.
So, while Craig’s departure leaves Sgt. Rock without a hero for the moment, it looks like Hollywood stops for no man. Who will ultimately step into the boots of this legendary war hero? Stay tuned!
