Luca Guadagnino and Daniel Craig’s Unexpected Post-Queer Reunion: Potentially Teaming Up for DC Studios’ Sgt. Rock

As we’re all eagerly anticipating that first glimpse of Superman in the upcoming trailer and gearing up for Creature Commandos’ debut on December 5, James Gunn’s DC Studios is clearly kicking things into high gear. What’s caught everyone off guard, though, is the announcement of a new live-action project that nobody saw coming: a Sgt. Rock movie directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring none other than Daniel Craig.

Back when Nexus Point News initially hinted at this intriguing project in September, it was met with a lot of speculation. Now, Deadline has confirmed that Daniel Craig is joining forces again with the creative mind behind Challengers and the Queer filmmaker. This reunion follows their previous collaboration, which fans can catch in select US theaters starting November 27.

As Deadline reports, “this is set to be Guadagnino’s next directorial venture before he takes on Lionsgate’s American Psycho reboot.” Apparently, the Sgt. Rock script, penned by Justin Kuritzkes—who wrote Guadagnino’s last two films—is nearly finished. This addition to Gunn’s reimagined DC cinematic universe is certainly unexpected. It’s part of the first phase of their refreshed lineup, which intriguingly mixes iconic characters with lesser-known, unique narratives.

At this stage, plot details remain a mystery. However, given Sgt. Rock’s rich history, spanning decades, this will likely be a World War II action film, potentially incorporating elements of pulpy horror. This marks a significant shift for Guadagnino, known for crafting intimate dramas with psychological horror undertones. Sgt. Rock made his debut in Our Army at War #83 back in June 1959, brought to life by creators Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert.

The character is an intricate one—on the surface, he’s a war hero and loyal soldier, but his journey reveals a tangled relationship with both his country and his adversaries. Notably, he’s even battled zombies, so perhaps we can expect some Wolfenstein or Overlord vibes. While it’s possible for the film to connect with the wider DC universe, it’s more likely that it will stand alone. Gunn has previously expressed an interest in creating standalone projects and seems keen to grant directors like Guadagnino the creative freedom they thrive on.

For Daniel Craig, now 56 and having moved on from his Bond days, this role marks a return to the kind of explosive blockbusters he seemed ready to leave behind. His recent work, including critically acclaimed projects like Rian Johnson’s Knives Out series, has shown his versatility and appetite for diverse roles. His willingness to dive back into action-packed territory suggests that working with Guadagnino was an experience he found immensely rewarding.