Sgt. Rock Stands Down: DC Studios Cancels Guadagnino Film

Sgt. Rock is officially on hold.

According to The Wrap, DC Studios has decided to halt production on Sgt. Rock, an action film centered around the iconic World War II superhero from the comics. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and scripted by Justin Kuritzkes, known for his work on Challengers and Queer, the film was set to feature Colin Farrell as Sgt. Franklin John Rock, an exceptional soldier leading Easy Company against the Nazis during the European theater of World War II.

Based on a character crafted by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert in the 1950s, Sgt. Rock was in pre-production stages, with plans to shoot in England.

The Hollywood Reporter noted that casting was actively taking place for the roles of Easy Company’s soldiers, with actors like Mike Faist—who appeared in Guadagnino’s Challengers—being considered. Additionally, the film was expected to introduce a female French resistance fighter as part of its storyline.

Daniel Craig was initially in talks for the lead role before stepping back, leading to Farrell taking over. However, DC’s co-CEOs James Gunn and Peter Safran stated that they had never officially met with Craig or confirmed the project.

While specific plot details have yet to be released, Sgt. Rock was anticipated to be a World War II ensemble film featuring Rock and a female French resistance fighter on a quest for the Spear of Destiny, a legendary artifact believed to have pierced the side of Jesus Christ. The narrative’s goal was to prevent the Nazis from acquiring this mystical weapon, paralleling elements found in Indiana Jones’ adventures.

Insiders suggested that Sgt. Rock would undergo “reassessment at the end of the year” to determine its future within DC Studios.

The news about Sgt. Rock does not signal an end to DC’s new direction. The studio’s primary focus continues to be on Superman, which will launch the new DC Universe. Scheduled for release on July 11, Superman is set to be the first film in this fresh approach. Two other films, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow and Clayface, are slated for 2026, but their success will largely depend on the reception of Superman.