London, U.K. — Production on the highly anticipated superhero film “Sgt. Rock,” directed by Luca Guadagnino and featuring Colin Farrell, has been unexpectedly postponed. Originally scheduled to begin shooting this summer, sources indicate that the project will now move forward with filming next summer.
Studio insiders highlighted that the decision to delay was due to challenges in meeting strict preparation timelines required for favorable weather conditions. The film’s production team had aimed for specific seasonal elements to enhance the UK-based shooting, but the harsh winter conditions were not deemed suitable for the cast, crew, or equipment.
The announcement comes as a surprise since the film was greenlit just months ago with a budget of $65 million. Plans had been in place for an August start. Before the delay was confirmed, Guadagnino was actively scouting locations, and casting discussions were progressing. David Jonsson, known for his breakout role in “Alien: Romulus,” was reportedly in talks to join the cast alongside Mike Faist, who also received an offer to participate.
“Sgt. Rock” features Farrell in the title role as Sgt. Franklin John Rock, a character rooted in World War II. The character, originally created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert, first appeared in DC’s “Our Army at War” comic in 1959. Over the years, Sgt. Rock’s popularity soared, leading to his own series that ran until 1988.
The film is part of a new era for the DC universe, managed by studio heads James Gunn and Peter Safran, and diverges from the narrative universe of Farrell’s character from “The Penguin,” which is under Matt Reeves. Farrell’s involvement in “Sgt. Rock” came after Daniel Craig, who briefly considered the role, chose to exit the project. This film marks a continued collaboration between Guadagnino and Justin Kuritzkes, who previously worked together on “Challengers” and “Queer.”
As Guadagnino navigates the delay, his upcoming release “After the Hunt” promises to capture attention with its exploration of #MeToo themes. Starring notable talents like Julia Roberts, Andrew Garfield, and Ayo Edebiri, the film is set to premiere on October 10. The director has also been exploring potential revamps of other projects, such as “American Psycho,” though it remains unclear which direction he will pursue next.
Looking ahead, DC Studios gears up for the impending release of Gunn’s “Superman,” scheduled to hit theaters on July 11, maintaining a robust slate of films as the superhero genre continues to evolve.