Daniel Craig Opens Up About Not Feeling Embarrassed Filming Gay Love Scenes for 'Queer'

Daniel Craig, the talented actor who has played James Bond in five movies, has opened up about his performance in Queer, a movie version of William S. Burroughs' book. Appearing on the Italian television program Che Tempo Che Fa, Craig talked about the importance of close homosexual scenes in the movie, calling them key to the narrative.

Craig, who has been widely acclaimed for his performance of the legendary spy, stressed that these scenes were crucial to show the relationship of the characters in a real way. He added, "There are so many things that embarrass me, sex is not one of them. we all do it! Those scenes were important, to show these people physically together. Without that, the film would have been emptier.

Queer, which traces the life of Lee, an American expat played by Craig, is obsessed with an emotionally withdrawn ex-US Navy serviceman played by Drew Starkey. The movie digs into Lee's efforts to try and determine whether his friend is "queer" through late nights of booze and a daring trek into the South American jungle.

Craig looked back at the role, commenting on when it would be wise to accept such a role. He said that doing Queer during his stint as James Bond would have been difficult because people might think that he was "trying too hard to be a good actor." He shared that he did not know the novel prior to joining, having read only Burroughs' Junkie and had read Naked Lunch just for the sake of acting.

Describing Burroughs’ influence on the film, Craig noted that the author’s work, often shaped by drug use, provided a unique backdrop for the film's tone and atmosphere. Craig mentioned that Queer blends modern elements with a 1940s feel, creating a sense of blurring lines around sexuality in a time when homosexuality was still illegal. He expressed his interest in the idea of masculinity, particularly in relation to the fiction usually linked to it at that time.

Queer represents a drastic change for Craig from his extensive period playing 007, an example of his skill as an actor and his desire to take on difficult and thought-provoking roles. The identity and secrecy themes of the film are consistent with Craig's continued interest in pushing back against norms and expectations both on and off camera.