DC Studios co-heads James Gunn and Peter Safran have set the record straight regarding Daniel Craig’s rumored involvement in their upcoming Sergeant Rock movie, revealing the actor was never officially attached to the project. The film, which features a screenplay by Challengers and Queer writer Justin Kuritzkes, is currently in the casting phase as the studio searches for its lead actor.
“Daniel was just, for what it’s worth, was never attached,” Safran explained during a press briefing. “He and Luca have an incredible relationship, and so Luca was talking to him about it. But, you know, we never met with Daniel, he was just an idea.”
Reports have suggested various reasons for Craig’s potential involvement not moving forward, including alleged scheduling conflicts with his wife Rachel Weisz’s projects and reportedly cooling interest following the performance of Queer. However, these reports remain unconfirmed, and as Safran and Gunn clarified, Craig never signed on to play Sgt. Rock.
What we know about the Sgt. Rock movie
The Sgt. Rock movie aims to tell “a story about heroism in a time of conflict in a compelling and unique way,” according to Safran. Kuritzkes’ screenplay has been praised by the studio heads and was instrumental in moving the project forward in DC’s development slate.
“We never really even announced Sergeant Rock,” Gunn noted, addressing the speculation. “That was never a real thing. That was a discussion.”
DC Studios is hoping to begin production this summer at their U.K. hub, with The Bear star Jeremy Allen White among the actors currently being considered for the lead role. The studio’s approach to casting remains methodical, with Safran emphasizing they will only move forward once they find “the perfect actor.”
“What we love about Sergeant Rock is just an opportunity to tell a story about heroism in a time of conflict in a compelling and unique way,” Safran added. “Justin Kuritzkes really wrote a wonderful screenplay, and that’s what kind of catapulted that project to the forefront.”
The Sgt. Rock movie reflects Gunn and Safran’s approach to balancing different budget levels and styles within the new DC Universe. Like Clayface and Superman, each project serves a specific purpose in the studio’s broader vision. While a summer production start remains possible, Gunn and Safran emphasized that finding the right lead actor takes priority over meeting any specific timeline.
Stay tuned for the latest news regarding the Sgt. Rock movie and the future of the DC Universe.
