Making a transition to acting can be tough for any musician. For starters, many actors get their start at a young age, and it can take years to hone the craft. Musicians who try to break into the industry will almost surely be met with a lot of skepticism from fellow actors, and the public. Usually, when a high profile musician or model makes the cut of a major motion picture, many assume it is just to boost the profile of the movie itself. However, that is not always the case.
For example, director Christopher Nolan cast One Direction’s Harry Styles in his upcoming WWII film Dunkirk with little knowledge of the young heartthrobs celebrity-status. Talking to THR, the director explains the real reason he cast Styles:
“I don’t think I was that aware really of how famous Harry was. I mean, my daughter had talked about him. My kids talked about him, but I wasn’t really that aware of it. So the truth is, I cast Harry because he fit the part wonderfully and truly earned a seat at the table.”
SEE ALSO: Harry Styles on Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk
Given that Dunkirk is a war movie, having an actor who will feel challenged by the source material seems crucial. A decision that likely injected a lot of energy into the film. From everything seen, and heard so far, it looks like Nolan is about to work his magic on audiences once again.
“Dunkirk opens as hundreds of thousands of British and Allied troops are surrounded by enemy forces. Trapped on the beach with their backs to the sea they face an impossible situation as the enemy closes in.”
Dunkirk is set for release on July 21st 2017 and features a cast that includes Nolan regulars Tom Hardy and Cillian Murphy alongside Mark Rylance, Kenneth Branagh, Harry Styles, Aneurin Barnard, Jack Lowden, James D’Arcy, Barry Keoghan, Tom Glynn-Carney and newcomer Fionn Whitehead.
… You can find Jordan on Twitter (@JordJJones), and Facebook.
Originally published July 10, 2017. Updated December 17, 2019.
