A24 has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Queer, director Luca Guadagnino‘s new film starring Daniel Craig.

The announcement comes ahead of the movie’s world premiere at the 81st Venice Film Festival. The film also stars Drew Starkey, Lesley Manville, Jason Schwartzman, Andra Ursuta, Michael Borremans and David Lowery.

Queer, adapted from William S. Burroughs’s novel of the same name, is set in 1950s Mexico City. It follows William Lee, an American ex-pat in his late 40s, as he lives a solitary life amidst a small American community. However, when Eugene Allerton, a young man, arrives in town, William finds himself finally establishing a meaningful connection with someone.

“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,” Craig and Guadagnino said in a joint statement. “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.” 

The screenplay was written by Justin Kuritzkes, who also collaborated with Guadagnino on the Zendaya-led Challengers.

The film was produced by Fremantle, Fremantle North America, Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment, a Fremantle Group Company and Luca Guadagnino for his Frenesy Film Company, in collaboration with Cinecitta and Frame by Frame. Fremantle Group financed the film. 

CAA Media Finance brokered the deal. 

Queer is set to be released later this year.