Get ready to clutch your pearls, because Drew Starkey (yes, that tall drink of water from Outer Banks) is serving us all the drama about his hotly-anticipated movie Queer—and no, it’s not a sequel to Brokeback Mountain (though it could be). Picture this: Drew and none other than James Bond himself, Daniel Craig, as…gay lovers! Yes, you read that right. Hold onto your martinis.
In this Luca Guadagnino-directed love fest, which will make its grand debut at the Venice Film Festival on Tuesday, September 3, Starkey and Craig take on roles that, well, are likely going to leave us all feeling some type of way. (Pass the fan, it’s hot in here!)
Starstruck by 007?
In an interview, Drew spilled the beans on what it was like to get all up close and personal with Mr. Shaken-Not-Stirred, a.k.a. Daniel Craig, for the movie’s, um, rather intimate scenes. “Okay, so when Daniel first strutted in, I was like, ‘OMG, it’s James Bond!’” Drew admitted. “But then, like, five minutes in, I’m like, ‘Oh right, he’s just a regular dude who also happens to look incredible in a suit.’”
But wait, it gets juicier: “Daniel’s this goofy, kind, super-chill guy,” Drew continued. “He’s like the friend who’s down for anything. Like, you wanna build IKEA furniture at 3 a.m.? He’s there. You need to film a steamy scene? He’s your guy!” Honestly, who knew Craig was the king of good vibes? Where can we sign up?
And Then… the Sex Scenes
Now, about those sex scenes. You know, the ones that have the internet practically combusting. Drew kept it real when talking about filming those spicy moments. “Honestly, you treat it like any other scene,” he said, totally casual, as if we all know what it’s like to film a love scene with Daniel Craig. (We don’t, Drew, but continue.)
“There’s obviously more talking about comfort levels and, like, making sure everything’s cool,” he added, giving us a sneak peek into what it’s like to coordinate choreography for, well, intimate action. Apparently, Daniel was a total pro, which is exactly what you’d expect from someone who’s fought international supervillains while looking effortlessly chic. “Daniel and I were like, ‘Let’s just go for it!’” Drew shared. Yep, they were all in, no holds barred. “We had so much fun, just laughing through it. Nothing was weird—except maybe me thinking, ‘Wow, I’m kissing James Bond.’”
Bonding Over… Bonding?
Drew also opened up about how they built their on-screen chemistry. And apparently, it wasn’t just about locking lips with 007. “We really had to work on figuring each other out,” Drew revealed. “Luca [Guadagnino] kept reminding us that there had to be love there.” (Note to self: Bond with future friends through emotionally raw table reads and slow-motion eye contact.)
“But we really bonded in movement rehearsals. Nothing builds a connection quite like choreographing slow-motion stares, am I right?”
As for the steamy scenes? “It was like a dance,” Drew explained. “A very intimate dance that had the potential to be either super hot or hilariously awkward. But honestly, they were some of the best days on set. Just me, Daniel, and the overwhelming awkwardness of it all… laughing our butts off between takes.”
Is Drew Ready to Go Full James Bond?
If there’s one thing we learned from Drew Starkey’s interview, it’s that Queer is going to be a wild ride, both emotionally and visually. And while Drew may not be auditioning for the next Bond movie, he’s definitely embraced the 007 mentality. In fact, his main takeaway from the whole experience? “Just go for it and don’t give a s**t,” he said with a grin.
Well, Drew, mission accomplished. Can’t wait to see this love story shake (and stir) things up on the big screen!
