At the Venice Film Festival, director Luca Guadagnino sparked discussion about the sexuality of iconic spy James Bond. The Italian filmmaker, known for "Call Me by Your Name" and "Challengers," defended Daniel Craig's casting in his new LGBTQ drama "Queer" by suggesting that Bond's desires could be open to interpretation.
Guadagnino stated, "There is no way around the fact that nobody could ever know James Bond's desires. Period. The important thing is that he does his missions properly." This comment came in response to a question about the possibility of a gay James Bond, which elicited a dismissive reaction from Craig.
"Queer," based on William S. Burroughs' novel, features Craig as an American expatriate in 1940s Mexico City who becomes infatuated with a younger man, played by Drew Starkey. This role marks Craig's first significant project since concluding his 15-year tenure as 007 in 2021 with "No Time to Die."
Addressing the intimate scenes in the film, Craig emphasized the professional nature of such moments on set. He praised his co-star Starkey, describing their approach as aiming to make the scenes "as touching and as real and as natural as we possibly could."
Craig's involvement in "Queer" stems from his desire to work with Guadagnino, whom he had admired for some time. The actor expressed enthusiasm for the project, stating, "It's the kind of film I want to see, I want to make, I want to be out there."
Starkey, in a separate interview, lauded Craig's performance and attitude, describing him as "game for anything" and "the most punk person." This praise highlights Craig's versatility and willingness to take on challenging roles beyond his iconic portrayal of James Bond.
"He's so f---ing good at every aspect of his craft, just homed in every day. And he's such a weirdo, dude … He's absolutely f---ing incredible in this film. He's really shattering … Very vulnerable, because as an actor, he could give a s—t, dude."
The discussion surrounding Bond's sexuality reflects ongoing debates about representation in popular culture. While Ian Fleming's original novels portrayed Bond as heterosexual, the character's enduring popularity has led to speculation about potential new interpretations. As the longest-running film franchise in cinema history, James Bond continues to evolve, with each new actor bringing a fresh perspective to the role.
As "Queer" premieres at the prestigious Venice Film Festival, it not only showcases Craig's range as an actor but also contributes to the broader conversation about diversity and representation in film. The project demonstrates how established stars like Craig can use their platform to support LGBTQ storytelling and challenge traditional narratives in mainstream cinema.