Daniel Craig laughs off ‘gay James Bond’ question at Venice, gets 9-minute standing ovation for erotic film ‘Queer’
It was a very strange day at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday.
Daniel Craig received acclaim after Luca Guadagnino’s sensual film “Queer” premiered at the festival, earning a nine-minute standing ovation. The movie also stars “Outer Banks” star Drew Starkey, 30.
Craig’s performance has already been hailed as a “career best” and it was clear the 56-year-old actor was feeling the love in the theater as the credits rolled on Tuesday night.
In videos posted on X, the actor, who played James Bond in five installments of the franchise, was seen beaming and even a little teary-eyed as the crowd cheered for him and the “queer” filmmakers. After embracing Guadagnino, she walked down an aisle of theater stairs, thanking the audience with a few small bows as they continued their rapturous applause.
As the congratulations continued, the star looked overwhelmed and unsure of what to do.
Guadagnino was also praised — the director perhaps best known for his films “Call Me by Your Name” and “Challengers.” At one point, the crowd even chanted, “Hide! Hide! Hide!”
Adapted from the 1985 William S. Burroughs novel of the same name, “Queer” follows William Lee (Craig), a gay American expatriate living in 1950s Mexico City.
According to a synopsis posted on the Venice Film Festival website, “In his early 50s, except for some contact with other members of the small American community, Lee spends his days almost entirely alone.”
“Her meeting with Eugene Allerton (Starkey), a young student new to town, shows her for the first time that it might finally be possible to have an intimate relationship with someone.”
It is known that there is something in the film very s****lly explicit scenes.
Craig was with Guadagnino and Starkey for a press conference to promote the film earlier in the day. Given the s****l content of the film, it was not surprising that a reporter asked Craig if there could ever be a gay James Bond.
Craig, whose “Knives Out” character Benoit Blanc is gay, instantly rolled his eyes in disgust and sighed at the question. “I mean, please,” she said, laughing under her breath.
Guadagnino then stepped in and tried to change the subject of the conversation.
“Guys, let’s be adults in the house for a second,” Guadagnino interjected, to which Craig replied, “Thanks.”
“There’s no way that anyone will ever know what James Bond wants, period,” the “Suspiria” director added, drawing applause from the audience and his “Queer” co-stars.
“Now, the important thing is that he does his missions right,” Guadagnino added, eliciting more laughter from Craig and the room.
“Darling, I adore you,” he continued, patting the former 007 on the back of the head. Craig continued to smile and returned the affectionate gesture by putting his hand on the director’s back.
This isn’t the first time, however, that Craig has been asked about the possibility of a gay James Bond.
In 2008, the actor was asked if Bond would ever “shag a guy”.
“That’s the question that’s been around forever,” the “Quantum of Solace” star said at the time.
“No,” he declared. “Kill him and then seduce him,” he said with a laugh.
But don’t tempt him. It was never on the agenda and we never discussed it. It’s not something I want or need. No.”
However, a much-discussed scene in the 2012 Bond outing “Skyfall” implied that his version of Mr. Bond was at one point on a*signment with other men.
In the movie, 007 finds himself tied to a chair and interrogated by the film’s villain Raul Silva (Javier Bardem).
Silva fondles James’ chest and thighs, playing with his captor. “You’re trying to remember your training now,” he said grimly. “What are the rules to cover this? Well, I guess there’s a first time for everything.”
Undeterred, Bond replies, “What makes you think it’s my first time?”
The studio behind the movie reportedly wanted to cut the line, but producer Barbara Broccoli insisted it stay.