Bond star Daniel Craig in ‘most explicit’ movie in years

Former James Bond actor Daniel Craig embarks on some of the most ‘explicit scenes’ ever seen in a mainstream movie, claim critics.

Netflix star Drew Starkey has revealed that he and James Bond actor Daniel Craig were up for anything while shooting the steamy sex scenes in their new film, Queer.

The movie, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, is helmed by Luca Guadagnino, director of such films as Call Me By Your Name and Challengers.

Starkey, 30, plays Eugene Allerton, a young student in 1950s Mexico City who American expat William Lee, portrayed by Daniel Craig, 56, becomes infatuated.

Actors Drew Starkey and Daniel Craig have shocked critics with their X-rated new gay drama, Queer. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

In Indiewire’s review of the film, reporter Ryan Lattanzio stated that Queer has “the most explicit gay sex scenes” that he could ever recall being included in a mainstream movie.

“You treat it like you would any other thing,” Starkey replied when questioned about filming the “steamy scenes” in an interview with Variety.

He continued, “Obviously, you’re more precious with it and you communicate more on the day about people’s comfort levels. But Daniel and I were just game for anything.

“We just were like, ‘Let’s go for it, let’s have fun.’”

Continuing his praise of Craig, The Other Zoey actor added, “So he was a great partner to have in that. I think him and I share that same mentality of just not giving a s**t.”

Starkey provided insight on Guadagnino’s perspective as well, stating that the director “was so specific” and that he wanted the actors “to be as comfortable as possible throughout that process.

Craig on the red carpet at the 81st International Venice Film Festival at Venice Lido. Photo: Alberto Pizzoli / AFP

“We would block off where these intimate scenes would happen and we talked months in advance about what we thought it should be, he recalled.

Starkey concluded, “It was also like a dance. We were trying to figure it out. But those were some of the most fun days I think we all had on set - just Daniel and I laughing.”

The movie premiered weeks after Joaquin Phoenix dropped out of Todd Haynes’s gay romance movie five days before filming was scheduled to begin.

According to a report, the Oscar-winning actor got “cold feet” before he was to begin production on the yet-to-be-named film.

Joaquin, 49, had helped develop the film, which featured a detective love story, with the director as well as writer Jon Raymond.

However, according to Indie Wire, Joaquin stepped away from the movie despite an “entire set” being built in Guadalajara, Mexico.

Originally published as Bond star Daniel Craig in ‘most explicit’ movie in years