Fresh off his Golden Globe and SAG Award wins for The Penguin, Colin Farrell is circling the lead in Sgt. Rock, a long-gestating adaptation of DC’s World War II comic being directed by none other than Luca Guadagnino. Initially, Daniel Craig (star of Guadagnino's just-released Queer) was eyed for the role, but after quietly exiting the project in February, Farrell is now in talks to bring the battle-hardened soldier to life. And with Guadagnino at the helm, expect something weighty, textured – far from the bombastic action spectacles we’re used to.
What do we know so far?
The ink isn’t dry yet, but production is already marching forward. Shooting is expected to begin this summer in England, with Justin Kuritzkes – who scripted Challengers and Queer – handling the screenplay. DC Studios co-chairs James Gunn and Peter Safran, the architects of the studio’s new era, are backing the film, describing it as a "straightforward war movie".
It’s an interesting move for DC, which is gearing up to redefine its cinematic universe with Superman, set to debut in July. If Sgt. Rock delivers on its promise, it could signal a new direction: one where superheroes and grounded, prestige cinema sit side by side.
What is the film going to be about?
For the uninitiated, Sgt. Rock follows a hardened WWII soldier leading his Easy Company through near-impossible missions. The character has long been a passion project for Hollywood’s heavyweights – Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger were once attached – but previous attempts never made it past development.
Now, with Guadagnino’s signature cinematic finesse and Farrell’s immersive, chameleon-like performances, this version might just be the one that makes it to the screen.
Why Luca Guadagnino and Colin Farrell?
A surprising duo, but one that makes sense. Guadagnino, best known for his dreamlike, sun-drenched romances and high-art horror, is fresh off a year of prestige projects, including Challengers and Queer. His rumoured American Psycho remake (with Austin Butler, no less) only adds to his genre-defying range.
Then there’s Farrell—an actor whose career has been a masterclass in reinvention. From In Bruges to The Killing of a Sacred Deer, his ability to embody the brooding, the broken, and the morally complex makes him an inspired choice for Sgt. Rock. And if The Penguin taught us anything, it’s that he knows how to disappear into a role.
Together, they might just rewrite what a comic book film can be.
