Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Queer’ to Be Released by A24 in the U.S. in 2024

In a major development, A24 has secured the U.S. distribution rights for “Queer,” Luca Guadagnino’s latest film starring Daniel Craig, ahead of its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.

A24 plans to release “Queer” in theaters this year, positioning it for a likely awards campaign. The film will also screen at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) and the New York Film Festival (NYFF) later this fall. However, a specific release date has not yet been announced.

Guadagnino teamed up again with “Challengers” screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes to adapt the film from the William S. Burroughs book of the same name.

The cast of “Queer” includes Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Andra Ursuta, Michael Borremans, and David Lowery.

Set in 1950s Mexico City, the film follows William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late 40s, who leads a solitary life within a small American community. His life takes a significant turn when Eugene Allerton, a young student, arrives in town, prompting William to seek a meaningful connection.

“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. The film was made in collaboration with Cinecitta and Frame by Frame, with Fremantle Group financing the project.

Earlier today, Fremantle also sold the U.S. rights to another film playing in competition at Venice. Pablo Larraín’s “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie, was acquired by Netflix just one day before its world premiere.

Guadagnino and Craig expressed their excitement in a joint statement, saying, “’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. 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.”

Andrea Scrosati, Group COO & CEO Continental Europe, Fremantle, also commented, “We are thrilled that ‘Queer,’ a true milestone in filmmaking and storytelling, will get its US release from A24. 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.

Source: Variety, IndieWire