Hollywood actor Daniel Craig, widely known for his portrayal of James Bond in the “007” series, had been rumored in November last year to collaborate once again with director Luca Guadagnino on the DC superhero film “Sgt. Rock.” However, reports surfaced on the 20th of this month indicating that he has decided to withdraw from the project.
According to The Hollywood Reporter (THR), the exact reason for Daniel Craig’s departure from “Sgt. Rock” has not been fully confirmed. Speculations suggest that conflicts in scheduling between him and his actress wife Rachel Weisz have made it difficult to coordinate filming times. Furthermore, the underperformance of their previous collaboration with Luca Guadagnino on “Queer” last year, both in terms of box office returns and awards season recognition, has led him to lose interest in participating in “Sgt. Rock.”
DC Films had been hoping to commence shooting the movie in the UK this summer. At present, they are actively seeking out other actors, with Jeremy Allen White, best known for starring in the series “The Bear,” being one of the contenders.
The character of “Sgt. Rock,” based on a real-life World War II soldier, first appeared in the 1959 comic “Our Army at War.” This character possesses superhuman abilities, including enhanced physical prowess and a unique “battle sense antenna” akin to spider-sense, enabling him to anticipate imminent dangers.
Reports suggest that Hollywood had long aspired to bring the character of “Sgt. Rock” to the big screen, with actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis considering roles at different points in time, albeit without fruition. Director Sam Raimi also contemplated directing a “Sgt. Rock” film but eventually opted out due to various reasons.
Daniel Craig shot to career success with the “007” franchise and has showcased a diverse range of styles in films like the World War II drama “Defiance,” sci-fi movie “Cowboys & Aliens,” heist comedy “Logan Lucky,” and the mystery thriller “Knives Out.”
Last year, Daniel Craig was rumored to headline “Sgt. Rock,” promising a return to his tough-guy persona. However, he never officially confirmed his involvement. Many fans had been anticipating a gritty and hardcore superhero war film from Daniel Craig, but the latest news indicates that their expectations may have been dashed.