Daniel Craig drops out of Luca Guadagnino’s Sgt. Rock movie months before filming commences – as award-winning actor is tipped to replace him

Daniel Craig has reportedly dropped out of Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming Sgt. Rock movie just months before filming was due to begin.

The actor, 56, was set to reunite with the Italian director, 53, – who worked together on romantic drama Queer – for the DC Studios film.

However according to Hollywood Reporter, the James Bond star is no longer attached to the project, with no reason given for his departure. 

MailOnline have contacted Daniel’s representatives for comment.  

Daniel was due to star as the titular Sgt. Franklin ‘Frank’ Rock in the World War II-themed superhero film, who first appeared in DC comics back in 1959.

Sgt Rock was the non-nonsense commander of the fictional Easy Company amid the second world war and the character had its own comic book series between 1977 and 1988.

Daniel Craig has reportedly dropped out of Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming Sgt. Rock movie just months before filming was due to begin

The actor, 56, was set to reunite with the Italian director, 53, – who worked together on romantic drama Queer – for the DC Studios film [pictured together]

Daniel’s involvement in the film alongside Luca was billed as a reunion for the pair, with screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes, who wrote for both Queer and Challengers, also on board. 

However, amid Daniel’s exit from the military comic book adaptation, award-winning actor Jeremy Allen White has reportedly been touted as he replacement. 

The 34-year-old American actor is famed for his role in psychological comedy-drama The Bear, which has seen him bag three Golden Globes, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Primetime Emmy Awards.

The film has planned to begin principal photography in the UK this summer, with the film set to be Luca’s next project.

Last year, Daniel admitted that he could never have taken on his role in Luca’s Queer if he was still portraying 007. 

The actor starred in five Bond films between 2006 and 2021, and Daniel has now admits that the money-spinning movies took a physical and emotional toll on him. 

He stars alongside Drew Starkey, 31, in Luca Guadagnino’s racy new movie Queer, based on William Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical novella of the same name. 

The period romantic drama, set in 1950s Mexico City, follows American expat and war veteran William Lee (played by Craig), who has a romance with a younger man, Eugene Allerton (Starkey), a drug addict and discharged Navy serviceman.

However according to Hollywood Reporter , the James Bond star is no longer attached to the project, with no reason given for his departure

Amid Daniel’s exit from the military comic book adaptation, award-winning actor Jeremy Allen White [pictured in 2014] has reportedly been touted as he replacement

Sgt Rock was the non-nonsense commander of the fictional Easy Company amid the second world war and the character had its own comic book series between 1977 and 1988

But reflecting on his Bond days, he told The Sunday Times : ‘I couldn’t have done this (Queer) while doing Bond. It would look reactionary, like I was showing my range.

‘Early on with Bond I thought I had to do other work, but I didn’t. I was becoming a star, whatever that means, and people wanted me in their films. Incredible. 

‘Most actors are out of work for large chunks so you take your job offers – but they left me empty. Then, bottom line, I got paid. 

Last year, Daniel admitted that he could never have taken on his role in Luca’s Queer if he was still portraying 007 [pictured in the film wth co-star Drew Starkey]

The star revealed that he felt ’empty’ and emotionally ‘exhausted’ after shooting each of his James Bond movies (seen as 007)

‘I was so exhausted at the end of a Bond it would take me six months to recover emotionally. 

‘I always had the attitude that life must come first and, when work came first for a while, it strung me out.’ 

Daniel remains very fond of the Bond franchise, and he’s curious to see where producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G Wilson decide to take it next.  

He added that who the next Bond could be ‘isn’t my decision or problem’ but said he wished those choosing ‘good luck’.