Luca Guadagnino’s highly-anticipated new drama Queer has unveiled its first image of Daniel Craig.
Set in 1940s Mexico City, the film stars the James Bond icon as Lee, a man on the run from a drug bust in New Orleans. In Mexico, he becomes obsessed with Allerton, a discharged serviceman from the American Navy.
Allerton will be played by Drew Starkey, who is best known for his supporting performances in films such as Love, Simon (2018), Hellraiser (2022) and The Other Zoey (2023). Since 2020, he has played Rafe in Netflix’s mystery teen drama Outer Banks.
In the first image of Craig as his lead character, he can be seen reading a newspaper outside a shop in Mexico.
The image arrives ahead of the film’s premiere at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, which takes place between 28 August and 7 September, where it will compete for the coveted Golden Lion. The historical romance is then expected to be included at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival (5-15 September).
A theatrical release is yet to be announced.
Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey
Queer is based on William S. Burrough’s 1985 short novel of the same name, which explores themes such as homosexuality, sex and drug abuse.
According to Guadagnino, the film will include “numerous and quite scandalous” sex scenes between Craig and Starkey.
The ensemble cast also includes Jason Shwartzman as Frank Cochan, Lesley Manville as Alice Cochan, Henry Zaga as Winston Moor, Drew Droege as John Dume, Ariel Schulman as Tom Weston, Colin Bates as Tom Williams, Ronia Ava as Joan and Perla Ambrosini as Lee’s mother.
It was recently announced that Queer will mark the acting debut of singer-songwriter Omar Apollo, whose role in the film is currently undisclosed.
Queer will mark Guadagnino’s second film of the year after Challengers, which stars Zendaya, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist. Released to universal acclaim, the sports dramedy was praised for its queer subtext.
The director is best known to LGBTQIA+ audiences for his Academy Award-nominated drama Call Me By Your Name.
As we wait for more news on Queer, check out the first shot of Craig as Lee below.
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