Colin Farrell-starrer Sgt.Rock from DC Studios which was supposed to be directed by Luca Guadagnino has been axed. Plans of pre-production has been scrapped. According to Deadline, the film whose lead character is based on a World War II combat soldier, is eyeing to begin filming in 2026.
Sgt. Rock was also actively looking for cast members to play members of Easy Company, the combat unit fighting Nazi forces in Europe. Mike Faist was in talks to star in the film and even the role of a female french Resistance fighter was confirmed.
However, it was a scheduling issue that halted the film's progress. Reports reveal that the filming need a lot of exterior locations and that created delay in making it to the finish line. The film was set to be made on a $65 million budget and was scheduled to go on floors this August. According to a few sources, Guadagnino might not be attached to the project when it might take off next year.
Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert created Sgt. Rock which first appeared in the comics in 1959. A film adaptation of the character has been in development since the late 1980s, when Arnold Schwarzenegger was initially considered for the lead role under producer Joel Silver. During that time, several prominent Hollywood screenwriters, such as David Peoples, Steven E de Souza, John Milius, and future Academy Award winner Brian Helgeland, worked on various versions of the script. The project continued into the 2000s, with Bruce Willis at one point being eyed for the role under the direction of Guy Ritchie. When Guy Ritchie became involved with Joel Silver's Sherlock Holmes films, the adaptation was put on hold.
Daniel Craig was initially in negotiations to play the titular role, but when he couldn't sign, Guadagnino chose Farrell, well known for DC Studios HBO series The Penguin. Farrell is expected to reprise his role in Matt Reeves’ The Batman Part II. Up next, Guadagnino has After the Hunt—a #MeToo-themed thriller produced by Amazon MGM Studios and starring Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri which is set to be released on October 10.