Daniel Craig Drops Out of "Sgt. Rock" Movie

Daniel Craig has declined the lead role in the "Sgt. Rock" film in the DC cinematic universe. The star of the "James Bond" and "Knives Out" franchises was supposed to play Sergeant Franklin John Rock himself. He may be replaced by Jeremy Allen White.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, 56-year-old Daniel Craig has already officially left the project. "Sgt. Rock" will be directed by Luca Guadagnino. He also directed the drama "Queer" (2024) starring Craig. Guadagnino also worked on the films "Challengers" (2024), "Suspiria" (2018), and "Call Me by Your Name" (2017).

The reasons for Craig's departure from the team are not disclosed. Some sources claim that it's all about the actor's busy schedule and his wife's, 54-year-old actress Rachel Weisz. Others say that Craig is disappointed with the reception of the film "Queer." It earned $4.8 million at the global box office with a budget of $48 million. The drama was also ignored at major awards ceremonies. For example, at the 2025 Oscars, "Queer" was left without nominations.

DC Studios and Warner Bros. hope to start filming "Sgt. Rock" in the summer of 2025. Currently, the studios are already looking for a new lead star. One of the candidates is 34-year-old Jeremy Allen White. He is best known for his roles in the TV series "The Bear" (2022-present) and "Shameless" (2011-2021), as well as the film "The Iron Claw" (2023).

Sergeant Rock is a soldier of World War II and the leader of the "Easy" squad. The character was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert. He debuted in Marvel comics in 1959. Sergeant Rock is a first-class shooter and a close combat fighter. He is also incredibly resilient and has a subtle flair, thanks to which he can anticipate dangers. Hollywood has been trying to adapt the comics about Rock for many years. At various times, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis claimed the role.