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Hold onto your martinis, darlings, because Daniel Craig is back, and he’s diving into fabulously queer waters! The former 007 is set to star in Luca Guadagnino’s highly anticipated film, Queer, premiering at the Venice Film Festival in August, and we are living for it.
Daniel Craig, who has captured our hearts as the suave and steely James Bond, is no stranger to breaking boundaries. Recently, he’s been exploring roles that challenge the typical Hollywood archetype, and his latest casting is no exception. This juicy bit of news dropped just after Craig finished his run on Broadway in Macbeth, where he received rave reviews not just for his acting but also for his chemistry with co-star Ruth Negga. Talk about a versatile king!
A Star-Studded Production
Based on William S. Burroughs’ controversial novel, Queer wrapped production last July and recently finished post-production. The film, which stars Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Jason Schwartzman, and Lesley Manville, is inspired by Burroughs’ own life. It delves into his time spent in Mexico surviving on government subsidies after World War II, alongside his struggles with heroin addiction. The novel was a quasi-sequel to Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical 1953 work Junkie, and its homosexual themes were deemed too controversial at the time, remaining unpublished until 1985.
Related: Luke Evans Talks Body, Bond, and Being Gay at 45
Craig’s Commitment to LGBTQ+ Representation
Daniel Craig has always been a strong supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. His friendship with the gay community has been well-documented, and he’s never shied away from expressing his admiration for the openness and authenticity found within it. Remember that time he was spotted at a gay bar in Venice Beach? Craig himself mentioned that he prefers the atmosphere there, saying it’s a place where he can relax and be himself without any of the pretentiousness. His openness has sparked plenty of gossip, but Craig has always been clear about his support: “We’re all human beings at the end of the day,” he said in an interview. “We all want to love and be loved.” Could we love him any more?
Guadagnino’s Influence and Starkey’s Rise
Luca Guadagnino, the Italian filmmaker behind Call Me By Your Name, has a knack for discovering fresh talent and elevating them to stardom. His previous works have catapulted actors like Timothée Chalamet and Taylor Russell into the spotlight. With Queer, he might have found his next breakout star in Drew Starkey, best known for his roles in Netflix’s Outer Banks and the film Love, Simon. Starkey plays Eugene Allerton, the significantly younger object of obsession for Craig’s character, Lee.
According to a profile in GQ, Guadagnino was strongly considering Starkey for the role, so he decided to share the audition tape with Craig, who immediately responded, “That’s the guy.” And the rest is history. In that same profile, Starkey described Queer as “a movie magic type of film,” comparing it to stepping into old Hollywood. He also mentioned that through movement rehearsals, he and Craig got to know each other “really, really quickly,” which sure piques our interest!
Venice Film Festival Premiere
Queer will make its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, which begins on August 28. Guadagnino, a mainstay on the Lido, has premiered many of his films there, and this year promises to be no different. After Challengers was pulled from Venice last year, Guadagnino promised Venice boss Alberto Barbera that he’d bring Queer to this year’s edition of the fest. Early screenings at Cannes have already generated buzz, with insiders calling the film “fantastic” and highlighting Craig’s potentially career-defining performance.
A Queer Adventure
Craig’s willingness to embrace such a role is a dazzling move, pushing forward the representation we crave. His career has always been a thrilling journey, and this queer adventure is about to get fabulously real. As for his personal life, Craig remains happily married to actress Rachel Weisz. Their relationship has always been kept relatively low-key, but they’ve been spotted hand-in-hand at various events, radiating that old-Hollywood glam we adore.
So, get ready, because Queer is set to be one of the year’s most talked-about films, bringing together incredible talent and groundbreaking storytelling. We can’t wait to see Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey light up the screen in what promises to be a truly memorable cinematic experience!
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