If we know anything about Luca Guadagnino, it's that his penchant for teen romances with twisted and woeful narratives is pervasive. We've seen him explore heartbreaking queer love in Call Me By Your Name and tender, all-consuming passion (or something like it) in Bones and All. Undoubtedly, his next celluloid foray will voyage down similar streams, with an edge. His next project, as reported by Above the Line, will be an adaptation of the controversial novel by William S Burroughs, Queer which is the sequel to Burroughs' seminal and semi-autobiographical book, Junkie.
Queer is considered a quasi-sequel to the aforementioned, Junkie which was published in 1953. The short novel was reportedly written between 1951 and 1953, though it wasn’t published until 1985 as homosexual themes were considered taboo for readers of the time. Burroughs' Queer is said to be loosely based on his own lived experience in Mexico City as his dependence on heroin started to wean. Burroughs has said that it represents him off heroin.
What is 'Queer' about?
The book follows Lee living in Mexico, wandering the bars aimlessly among expats, surviving on the allowances handed out by the US government following World War II. There, he encounters a young man called Allerton, and his infatuation with him transpires.
Who will star in 'Queer'?
Daniel Craig is taking the leading role of Lee. Yes, you heard that right, James Bond's own is shedding his signature suit for undoubtedly less formal threads.
Guadagnino has cast Drew Starkey to play Allerton, Lee (Craig's) love interest.
The remainder of the film’s cast includes Jason Schwartzman, Henrique Zaga, Andres Duprat, Ariel Shulman, Drew Droege and Colin Bates.
Who will be producing 'Queer'?
Rejoice. A bulk of the Challengers team is returning for this project, including Jonathan Anderson for costume design, Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for musical composition and Sayombhu Mukdeeprom for cinematography.
What will Omar Apollo's role be about?
Everything online about his appearance has been razor-thin. His appearance is being described as 'top-billed'. We can only theorise what that could possible mean. A queer love triangle? Count us in.
When will 'Queer' release?
Queer is set to debut at the 2024 Venice Film Festival this September. Stay tuned, we'll let you know when we hear more.
After a deep dive into Guadagnino's archive in preparation for Queer? We can help you out there as well.
