Christopher Nolan’s WWII Epic Dunkirk Reportedly Offers Role To One Direction Star Harry Styles

Remember when we brought you the news that relative newcomer Fionn Whitehead was circling one of two lead roles in Christopher Nolan’s WWII epic, Dunkirk? Deadline is reporting that the Warner Bros. production has narrowed down its search for another smaller role and, well, you might want to sit down for this one.

According to multiple sources close to the set, it is One Direction star Harry Styles who has emerged as a left-field addition to the early ensemble, potentially joining Whitehead, Tom Hardy, Kenneth Branagh and Mark Rylance in Warner’s wartime drama.

With zero acting credentials to his name – barring a rumored role in the sophomore season of Scream Queens – to say that Styles is an unlikely choice for a weighty Nolan period piece is something of an understatement, but we’ll reserve judgement until more information comes to light about this casting nugget.

Behind the IMAX camera – and yes, there will be IMAX sequences – Christopher Nolan will be working from a script of his own, telling the gruelling tale better known in military speak as Operation Dynamo.

Described as a “miracle of deliverance” by Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom at the time, the story involves an unprecedented rescue mission staged by the Allies during the throes of World War II. Helping to bring that harrowing real-life mission to the big screen are Nolan’s old confidants: German composer Hans Zimmer and Interstellar cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema.

Dunkirk will make dock on July 21, 2017.