DC’s ‘Sgt. Rock’ Movie No Longer in Development

It’s debatable if any DC Comics character has had as much Hollywood exposure as Sgt. Rock. Originally created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert in the late 1950s, this World War II hero almost became Arnold Schwarzenegger’s lead role in the 1990s, with Joel Silver producing. The production advanced enough to produce promotional items featuring Schwarzenegger’s likeness on Sgt. Rock buttons. (Although, it’s worth noting that Schwarzenegger, an Austrian, might seem a bit out of place for the part of an American soldier in World War II.) Later on, Bruce Willis attempted to bring the character to the big screen, with Guy Ritchie potentially directing. However, this project also failed to materialize.

Over the past couple of years, there have been fresh whispers about a revival for the Sgt. Rock movie, with Luca Guadagnino from Challengers expected to take up directing duties. Earlier speculations suggested that Daniel Craig might be cast as the lead character, but more recent chatter points towards Colin Farrell as the potential star.

It appears that the Sgt. Rock project won’t move forward as planned this year. According to Variety, Warner Bros. had considered filming it this summer, but the production is no longer being developed by the studio due to logistical issues involving exterior location shooting in the U.K. A reliable source stated that a summer start date was necessary for the project, which could not be achieved, and filming during winter was unfeasible. As such, the studio has temporarily halted the project with the intention of reviving it in 2026.

In another account, an unidentified source echoed similar thoughts about scheduling and outdoor settings. However, another unnamed source suggested that Guadagnino’s lack of experience in action films could have been a factor that made studio executives hesitant, despite the film’s budget being relatively low for comic book movies at around $70 million.

According to reports, the upcoming movie featured Rock portraying a soldier during World War II. In this film, he would be partnered with a female member of the French Resistance. Together, they would search for the legendary Spear of Destiny, said to have been used in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion and believed to possess extraordinary powers. The script was authored by Justin Kuritzkes, who is also known for writing Guadagnino’s latest success, “Challengers.

Poor Sgt. Rock. War is hell, but there ain’t no hell on earth quite like development hell.

Every DCEU Movie Ranked From Worst to Best

16. Suicide Squad

In this film, if the Suicide Squad hadn’t been present, the very issue they were called upon to resolve wouldn’t have arisen. The antagonist is a member of the Suicide Squad who rebels, and a significant portion of the story revolves around saving a character whose identity is initially a mystery, but eventually revealed as the creator and leader of the Suicide Squad. Essentially, in this movie, the Suicide Squad serves as both the origin and the remedy for all the narrative conflicts. The film may have been planned out logically by director David Ayer, but when it was released, it had been edited into a cinematic mess, much like coleslaw. I must warn you: The “Extended Cut” won’t improve the movie. In fact, Suicide Squad didn’t need to be any longer. Regrettably, Suicide Squad reached its lowest point within the DC Extended Universe.

15. Justice League

The Justice League film was supposed to be the climax of a connected narrative. Regrettably, it turned out to be the point where a once-promiseful film universe crumbled apart. Originally directed by Zack Snyder, he had to step away due to personal matters, and Joss Whedon stepped in. The end product lacks the signature feel of either director. The editing is inconsistent, the mood is disjointed, and the main antagonist, a faceless CGI villain with no character or driving force, is just another world conquest-obsessed cliché (yes, his aim is to dominate the world). Although Snyder’s original cut can be found on HBO Max, the initial version of Justice League will forever be remembered as one of the weakest DC films ever produced.

14. Wonder Woman 1984

As a devoted cinephile, I must confess that the return of Gal Gadot and Chris Pine’s characters in “Wonder Woman 1984” feels like an unexpected leap from the original masterpiece, seemingly defying the principles of logic and time progression. Fortunately, their presence is a saving grace for this sequel, as they are virtually the only elements that keep me engaged amidst its lethargic flow.

The storyline pits Diana against the malevolent oil tycoon Max Lord (Pedro Pascal) and the formidable Cheetah (Kristen Wiig), set in the vibrant 1980s. There are a handful of superheroic moments that shine, such as the exhilarating desert chase sequence, but there’s an overwhelming amount of narrative wandering in between these highlights. Considering how impressive the first “Wonder Woman” was, this film undeniably ranks as the most disheartening addition to the entire DC Extended Universe.

13. Shazam! Fury of the Gods

Discussing unsatisfying sequels, the initial Shazam! movie centered around its teenage superhero and the creative ways he explored his new abilities. With him being somewhat proficient now, it’s hard to justify the need for Fury of the Gods. It amps up the visual effects but stumbles in many instances with its humor. Thankfully, Helen Mirren appears to be enjoying herself as one of the Daughters of Atlas.

12. Black Adam

Dividing Black Adam from Shazam results in a gloomy, ill-tempered antihero who lacks the contrast of Billy Batson’s cheerful and optimistic persona. Dwayne Johnson has long anticipated playing this character, and he indeed radiates the strength to shatter a jet with his bare hands. However, Black Adam primarily offers explosive visuals within a monotonous superhero origin narrative that subtly explores the idea of might makes right.

11. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

In the DC Extended Universe, age-old allies Batman and Superman clash for the first time, with Batman, played by Ben Affleck, accusing Superman, portrayed by Henry Cavill, of causing destruction in Metropolis during the events of “Man of Steel”. While there may be some validity to this claim, the testosterone-fueled feud between these two iconic figures reaches an absurd level in “Batman v Superman” that borders on self-parody. The overly macho rivalry makes it difficult for us to take a character named Martha seriously ever again.

10. Man of Steel

As a movie enthusiast, I find myself echoing young Clark Kent’s sentiment: “The world’s too vast, Mom!” she responds. If only Zack Snyder had heeded the wisdom of Ma Kent, we might have been spared the chaos of countless World Engines, crumbling structures, and hostile Kryptonians in ‘Man of Steel’. Instead of portraying the titular character as a beacon of hope and inspiration, Snyder chose to depict him as an alien enigma, potentially more peril than protector for humanity. This unconventional approach certainly adds a fresh perspective to the character.

9. Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom

The DCEU concludes not with a grand finale, but with an Aquaman – and regrettably, not even the finest portrayal of Aquaman. This fragmented and inconsistent sequel manages to extract some comic value from the complex dynamics between half-brothers Arthur (Jason Momoa) and Orm (Patrick Wilson), yet it seems as though they pieced together a film, only later reassembling it into a theater release that feels disjointed. (The absence of Amber Heard’s Mera is puzzling; similarly, Nicole Kidman’s Atlanna vanishes for the initial 45 minutes, reappearing without warning or explanation.) This ending for the DCEU may not have been what we had in mind, but given the overall trajectory of the franchise, it somehow fits.

8. Birds of Prey

If “Suicide Squad” seemed like Warner Bros.’ effort to mimic the eccentric charm of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” then “Birds of Prey” aimed to create their version of “Deadpool.” In the character of Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn, they found a morally ambiguous, profane, and self-referential antihero who learns to be less villainous while protecting an innocent child with the assistance of an unlikely group of outcasts. Harley Quinn makes for an intriguing protagonist, and the film has a lively punk-rock atmosphere. However, it would be more engaging if it delved deeper into its characters. The excessive focus on the Joker gives the movie a strange, somewhat Poochie-like vibe, where the primary characters are consistently discussing someone who isn’t actually present in the film.

7. The Flash

Despite The Flash seemingly marking the end of the DCEU, it actually pays homage to many of its finest aspects. For instance, Ben Affleck delivers a solid performance as Batfleck, and there’s a remarkable level of interconnectedness between various DC properties. (In truth, this film feels more like a grand, multidimensional DC team-up rather than a solo Flash movie.) Ezra Miller convincingly portrays two different Barry Allens, but it’s Michael Keaton who steals the show with his comeback as Batman, 30 years after his initial portrayal of the Dark Knight.

6. Blue Beetle

In many ways, the action sequences in “Blue Beetle” seemed familiar, drawing parallels with other DC and Marvel films such as “Shazam!” and the original “Iron Man”. However, what set it apart from some DCEU productions was its emphasis on the title character’s family. Unlike most superhero stories where the hero hides their secret identity from their loved ones, “Blue Beetle” delved into how the discovery of a mystical scarab by Jaime Reyes (Xolo Maridueña) disrupted everyone close to him, particularly his captivating grandmother (Adriana Barraza). While Maridueña delivered a satisfactory performance as Jaime Reyes, I wasn’t the only one who felt that Barraza was so exceptional that I wished she starred in her own superhero movie instead.

5. Aquaman

Did James Wan and Jason Momoa manage to transform Aquaman, the DC superhero known for chatting with fish, into an unexpectedly enjoyable (with hints of trippy, psychedelic elements), worldwide escapade? Absolutely!

4. Zack Snyder’s Justice League

Although not a classic, Zack Snyder’s Justice League represents a significant upgrade from the original film version, offering a more coherent narrative and well-developed characters, notably Ray Fisher’s character Cyborg. However, four hours might be excessive; the original could have been shorter, but this director’s cut feels slightly prolonged. Nonetheless, among Snyder’s DCEU films, the Snyder Cut stands as the best and likely the one that will shape his legacy with the company.

3. The Suicide Squad

Marvel committed an error when they temporarily dismissed James Gunn from ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’. Swiftly jumping ship to a rival studio, Gunn breathed new life into the struggling ‘Suicide Squad’ franchise, transforming it into one of DC’s most captivating productions. Instead of sticking with the mistakes made previously by Warner Bros., Gunn rescued its key characters like Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and Viola Davis’ Amanda Waller, and discarded the rest (apologies to Jared Leto). In their place, he injected more humor and introduced several fresh talents, such as Idris Elba’s Bloodsport and John Cena’s Peacemaker. With a superhuman physique and twisted sense of humor, Peacemaker perfectly embodies the satire of overzealous patriotic heroes. Brimming with blood, laughter, and an unexpected beauty, ‘The Suicide Squad’ is the film that everyone hoped the initial ‘Suicide Squad’ would be.

2. Wonder Woman

As a cinema enthusiast, let me share my take on the enchanting collaboration between Gal Gadot’s captivating Princess Diana and Patty Jenkins’ powerful action scenes in the DC film. The story follows Gal’s Wonder Woman, who journeys from her secluded island paradise of Themyscira into the devastated trenches of World War I Europe. Along this journey, she encounters a charming spy (Chris Pine), develops feelings for him, and showcases some serious fighting skills.

The character of Diana is intricate; she’s innocent yet strong, brave but not excessively aggressive. Yet, Gal Gadot masterfully portrayed her complexity, proving herself more than capable in the role.

1. Shazam!

When it appeared that the DCEU was in trouble post-theatrical release of Justice League, Warner Bros. managed to bounce back with a fresh and unexpected adaptation of the original Captain Marvel character, now known as Shazam. Instead of a typical grim or violent superhero narrative, director David F. Sandberg transformed the material into a hilarious body-swap comedy reminiscent of Big. Asher Angel portrays Billy Batson, an orphan who morphs into the powerful but uncoordinated figure of Zachary Levi upon uttering the magic word “Shazam!”. Featuring strong villains, a delightful comedic tone, and an exhilarating action climax with numerous unexpected twists, Shazam remains the top-tier DCEU film to date.

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2025-04-30 23:26