The good news is that Harry Styles plans to focus squarely on music. The bad news is that means he’s taking a break from his burgeoning acting career. The former One Direction star revealed in an interview with The Face that he was on the shortlist for the role of Prince Eric in the upcoming live action version of The Little Mermaid, but that he decided to pass on the project in order to “put music out and focus on that for a while.”
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Styles made a well-received film debut in 2017 in Christopher Nolan’s WWII epic Dunkirk, which came out two months after Styles’ self-titled debut album. He was also reportedly considered for the lead role in director Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming Elvis Presley biopic, which ultimately went to actor Austin Butler.
“[Elvis] was such an icon for me growing up. There was something almost sacred about him, almost like I didn’t want to touch him. Then I ended up getting into [his life] a bit and I wasn’t disappointed,” Styles told the magazine, noting that he did some research and prep to play The King, but is totally fine with Butler landing the role. ?“I feel like if I’m not the right person for the thing, then it’s best for both of us that I don’t do it, you know?”
As for the Mermaid offer, Styles said the role was “discussed,” noting that “everyone involved was amazing, so I think it’s going to be great. I’ll enjoy watching it, I’m sure.” In the meantime, he’s finished work on his as-yet-untitled second solo album and already picked a lead single, with a sound good pal Stevie Nicks said will surprise longtime fans.
“It’s not like the last album,” the Fleetwood Mac singer told The Face. “It’s not like anything One Direction ever did. It’s pure Harry, as Harry would say. He’s made a very different record and it’s spectacular.”