DC Studios is putting “Sgt. Rock,” a DC Comics adaptation that was meant to be directed by Luca Guadagnino and star Colin Farrell, on hold for the time being, a source told IndieWire.
The project was in the midst of pre-production and casting and was plotting a shoot in England for this summer, but the source told IndieWire that a summer start for “Sgt. Rock” would’ve been untenable. The film hopes to shoot on location in England and would require summer daylight hours, according to the source, so postponing to the winter would not have been ideal for cast or crew. The film is hoping to find a new start date next summer.
It’s unclear if director Guadagnino or Farrell would still be involved come summer of 2026. Guadagnino specifically is busy with several other projects, including his upcoming film for Amazon and MGM called “After the Hunt” and a remake of “American Psycho” that will star Austin Butler in the Patrick Bateman role.
DC Studios had no comment.
Originally reported to be in development in November of last year, DC Studios heads James Gunn and Peter Safran were high on the script from “Challengers” and “Queer” writer Justin Kuritzkes, even though the Sgt. Rock character wasn’t in the studio’s initial plans among its inaugural slate of interconnected films and series.
THR additionally reported that alongside Farrell as the title character Sgt. Rock, “Challengers” actor Mike Faist was also meant to play a key role, and the part of a female French resistance fighter had also been set, but the source said Faist was never offered a part. The story is said to revolve around the search for the Spear of Destiny, which stabbed Jesus Christ on the cross during his crucifixion, and get their hands on it before the Nazis.
Daniel Craig was at one point reporting to be circling the part and had later dropped out, but Gunn and Safran in a meeting with press claimed they never met with him for the role and he was never given a formal offer.
First conceived in 1959, the Sgt. Rock character was a World War II soldier leading Easy Company who is a crack shot and combat fighter with seemingly superhuman strength and endurance, as well as a “Combat Antenna” to sense danger. The comic series became one of the longest running in DC’s history, running 1977 to 1988. Hollywood has been trying to adapt it since the late ’80s, with everyone from Arnold Schwarzenegger to Bruce Willis interested in playing the part. Sgt. Rock has appeared in DC’s “Creature Commandos” series and other TV episodes.
The Wrap first reported the news.
