A24 Lands Luca Guadagnino’s Daniel Craig-Led Drama

A24 has acquired U.S. distribution rights to “Queer,” the newest film from Academy Award-nominated director Luca Guadagnino.

The Daniel Craig-led movie, which will be released this year, makes its world premiere at the 81st Venice Film Festival on Sept. 3.

Set in 1950s Mexico City, “Queer” follows William Lee (Craig), an American expat in his late 40s, as he leads a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, the arrival in town of Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a young student, stirs William into finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone. Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Andra Ursuta, Michael Borremans and David Lowery also star.

“Queer” was written for the screen by Guadagnino’s “Challengers” collaborator Justin Kuritzkes, which he adapted from the novel of the same name by American writer William S. Burroughs.

“’Queer’ is a labor of love, and we could not be more excited that our film has found a home with a studio as daring, vital, and trail-blazing as A24,” Craig and Guadagnino said in a joint statement. “It is our deep honor to finally bring Burroughs’ legendary novel to life on screen for the first time, and we feel immense gratitude and excitement to be able to present it alongside our treasured collaborators. We could not ask for better partners on this journey.”

In addition to screening in competition in Venice, where Guadagnino earned the award for best director in 2022, “Queer” will also have its North American premiere as a special presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival and serve as the Spotlight Gala of the New York Film Festival.

“Queer” was produced by Fremantle, Fremantle North America, Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment, a Fremantle Group Company and Luca Guadagnino for his Frenesy Film Company, in collaboration with Cinecitta and Frame by Frame. Fremantle Group financed the film.

“We are thrilled that ‘Queer,’ a true milestone in filmmaking and storytelling, will get its U.S. release from A24,” Fremantle’s Andrea Scrosati said. “A24 is the perfect partner for Luca Guadagnino’s beautiful and tender film, and we are all looking forward to working with their brilliant team again.”

CAA Media Finance brokered the deal.