Many wondered why Luca Guadagnino’s “Sgt. Rock” ended up nixing its summer shoot. Some contradicting info soon emerged. Deadline and The Wrap claimed it was a scheduling issue. Meanwhile, THR had a source telling them it might have had to do with Guadagnino’s lack of action blockbuster experience.
James Gunn, DCU co-chair, later told EW that the film might still happen, and that the actual reason why it was delayed was due to the overall vision of the project to being up to his standards. In his own words, the film has to “change creatively.”
“Sgt. Rock” was set to star Colin Farrell in the titular role, and the actor is now weighing in on the project — I believe for the first time — and he still seems interested in doing it (via Josh Horowitz):
God, that was a fantastic script. I wonder what’s happening? With it. I have no idea where it is now, but it should be made — it’s really really good.
What’s ironic about the “Sgt. Rock” situation is that Gunn had previously made it clear that, under his leadership, directors would — and should — have creative control within the new DCU. His vision centered on hiring top-tier directors and writers and giving them the freedom to shape their stories. But evidently, Justin Kuitzkes’ script for “Sgt. Rock” didn’t meet Gunn’s standards.
It was already deep into pre-production when he was informed that “Sgt. Rock” was being shelved, a decision that almost certainly came from Gunn himself. The film had been slated to begin shooting in July, with a strong cast attached, including Farrell, Mike Faist, and David Jonsson.
Guadagnino also reunited his go-to team — cinematographer Sayombhu Mukdeeprom, composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, and costume designer Jonathan Anderson. It looked like it could become the most exciting project in the DCU.
In his latest film, “After the Hunt,” Guadagnino even included a “Sgt. Rock” poster, visible for just a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moment. He was also photographed wearing a DC sweater in a viral post online. The man was all in on this project — but for some reason, Gunn didn’t like the “fantastic” script.
Edward Berger seems to have settled on what comes next. His Lance Armstrong biopic, starring Austin Butler, is now holding casting calls, with production eyed for January.