After having portrayed the tough British spy James Bond in five installments of that epic saga, Daniel Craig took a significant leap. He stepped onto a metaphorical diving board and dove headfirst into the role of the quirky Southern detective Benoit Blanc in "Knives Out." This new role marked a radical departure from his previous character, almost as if he had traded the safety of a pool for the peril of Mexican cliff-diving.

Daniel Craig's Transformative Journey in "Queer"

Embracing a New Identity

Daniel Craig acknowledges that his latest movie, "Queer" (releasing in theaters on Wednesday in New York and Los Angeles, and nationwide on December 13), is not going to please everyone. However, he encourages viewers to keep an open mind. "It's a movie that delves deep into the themes of love, loss, and mainly, love. It explores how we emotionally navigate through life," he says.As the gay writer William Lee, a character modeled by 1950s Beat Generation writer William S. Burroughs on himself, Craig completely embodies a tortured soul on the run from U.S. drug charges. In Mexico, he finds love with the young ex-pat Eugene Allerton (played by Drew Starkey).

The Chemistry with Drew Starkey

The chemistry and camaraderie between Craig, 56, and Starkey, 31, are palpable. During pre-production in New York and filming at Rome's famous Cinecittà soundstages, a special bond formed. Starkey, a star of Netflix's "Outer Banks" series, won acclaim at the Venice Film Festival for his remarkable performance in "Queer."When asked about working with Craig, whose pre-Bond filmography includes compelling roles in movies like the 2004 British crime thriller "Layer Cake," Starkey initially seemed a bit shy. But as they interacted, it became clear that their connection was strong."You more than held your own," Craig said. "Luca saw 300 actors for that role, but kept coming back to Drew. When I met Drew for the first time, I knew. It had to be him.""Why?" asked Starkey. "Well, he has this massive presence, which is a gift from God. But in this movie, he has to constantly inhabit what he's doing onscreen, and that takes enormous confidence."

Diving into the World of Burroughs

Both Craig and Starkey delved into the world of Burroughs and his escape to Mexico some 70 years ago. This was a troubled period that encompassed not only Burroughs' own sexual questioning but also the shooting death of his wife Joan Vollmer, allegedly by accident.Craig emphasizes the importance of preparation. "I need a lot of time to prep, whether it's for an accent or finding a voice. But then, on set, the magic happens. You're with amazing actors like Drew, and you respond to what they're doing. The goal is to get to set and just play, and see what unfolds."While Craig's character is physically a mess, his heart is genuinely seeking companionship and finds it in a young man who is questioning his own sexuality. Their intense love scenes were filmed on an elaborate set that provided a refuge from the real world."I love working on sets. There's a certain magic about them," Craig said. "It feels more like a job. You arrive, do your job, and go home. I appreciate that stability."Starkey added that the "Queer" set had a surreal atmosphere, an "almost childlike sense. You felt like a kid. Everyone was in awe of the world being built, and you just dived into it."