You could say that Harry Styles is a jack of all trades in entertainment as he comes closer to making his leading actor debut later this year. Styles first stepped into the public spotlight as a member of British boyband One Direction in 2010, and has since moved on to nurture a successful solo career. Styles has been diligent in putting his eggs in all the baskets, expanding his career in not just music, but also film. Although Styles has established a respectable reputation as a musician, his acting career is just getting started.
From a brief glimpse of his acting chops in his performance on the children’s show iCarly to being cast in Christopher Nolan’s Dunkirk, his promise as an actor is set to make a splash in the film industry. Later this year, Styles is anticipated to star in 2 films, the psychological thriller Don’t Worry Darling and LGBTQ+ period romance My Policeman, in addition to his prospective future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Eros/Starfox, a character that was introduced in Chloé Zhao’s Eternals. As Styles’ time in the spotlight in both music and film continues on, make sure you check out some details surrounding his blooming and promising acting career.
Acting Debut — iCarly
Nickelodeon
We all have to start off somewhere, right? The global success of British boyband One Direction comprised of Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson, and Zayn Malik, opened up the opportunity for them to guest star on an episode of the popular Nickelodeon comedy show iCarly. Styles, playing himself in the episode, sampled a brief look into his acting abilities at just the young age of 18. In this episode, Styles contracts “jungle worms” and is sick and bedridden in Carly’s (Miranda Cosgrove) room. Is this the most groundbreaking performance of an actor’s career? Definitely not. However, Styles’ comfort in taking on a role is evident, and his performance did fit the overall silly and quirky vibe of the show.
Dunkirk: Harry Styles’ Movie Debut
Warner Bros.
Style’s major motion picture debut was definitely a tall order, and he did not disappoint. Christopher Nolan’s 2017 war film Dunkirk was the first showing of Style’s acting ability on a much larger scale. The story of Dunkirk takes place in the 1940s where Allied troops were trapped and then rescued off of the beaches during World War 2. Styles played a more antagonistic role as the soldier, Alex, alongside a star-studded cast comprised of Cillian Murphy, Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance, Fionn Whitehead, and Barry Keoghan. Dunkirk was nominated for 8 Academy Awards in 2018 and won 3. Styles found himself becoming a notable name in the film industry and his involvement in this acclaimed film from an equally acclaimed director would eventually become one of the main catalysts for his entrance into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Eternals: Breaking New Ground with Eros/Starfox
Marvel Studios
Becoming part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe is a notable step in any actor’s career. In a surprising turn of events, people were shocked to see Styles introduced as Thanos’ brother, Starfox, in the mid-credits scene of Marvel’s Eternals. In an interview detailing the casting process for the movie, director Chloe Zhao explained how she, “kept tabs on Harry Styles since he appeared in ‘Dunkirk’ because whoever Nolan casts [she] always keeps an eye open.” Styles’ time on-screen lasted only a few minutes, yet the fan reactions were as boisterous as ever in both the theater and on social media. Eros, or Starfox, adds an interesting dynamic to the story surrounding the Eternals in both the comics and in the film, and Styles’ charisma brought the role to life on the big screen. Although Style’s future in the MCU as Starfox remains hidden under lock and key by Marvel, the character is expected to become a vital part of the franchise’s future.
Upcoming Projects: My Policeman & Don’t Worry Darling
Styles has yet to show is abilities as a leading actor in a film. However, after this year, that will be a thing of the past. Styles will be starring in, not one, but two films: LGBTQ+ period romance and book-to-screen adaptation My Policeman, and psychological thriller, Don’t Worry Darling. In My Policeman, Styles will be playing a key role in a story of forbidden love in 1950s Brighton, starring next to Emma Corrin and David Dawson. The film is an adaptation of a novel by Bethan Roberts that explores the dangers, heartbreak, and societal challenges that affected members of LGBTQ+ community during this time.
Styles will be also be adding to his film discography as a main character in the psychological thriller, Don’t Worry Darling directed by Olivia Wilde. Styles will be starring in this film alongside some notable names such as Florence Pugh, Gemma Chan, Chris Pine, Nick Kroll, and even Wilde herself. Although the premise of the plot remains unclear, excitement stirred when a brief teaser trailer was released in September of last year. The first full-length trailer for the film is speculated to be released sometime soon. Both My Policeman and Don’t Worry Darling are expecting releases later this year.
