In news that’s strangely important to me (and now to you): Did you know? Harry Styles almost played along Nosferatu? No, seriously. The Grammy-winning singer almost starred in the remake of the 1922 silent horror classic. But a plot twist: He didn’t want to play the creepy, bald, bloodthirsty vampire.

In a 2022 interview with IndieWire, Nosferatu director Robert Eggers revealed that Harry was up for playing Thomas Hutter but backed out due to “scheduling issues.” This role finally took off Nicholas Hoult. And what’s even better is that Harry wanted to do the opposite Anya Taylor Joywho was originally in talks to play Ellen Hutter. Her role eventually ended Lily Rose Depp instead. Talk about a lineup shakeup.

“It fell apart twice,” Robert said of his long, cursed journey Nosferatu. “I was trying to get the word out because it was announced that Harry Styles was going to be in the film. I just want to make it clear that he would be Hutter and not Nosferatu himself.”

Honestly, I can’t say whether Harry’s curly locks would have been great or distracting in 19th century Germany, but I’m definitely intrigued. Robert also admitted that he believed the project was doomed, saying: “I tried so hard. And I’m just wondering if Murnau’s ghost is telling me to stop.” Spoiler alert: He didn’t stop. The film finally premiered in December 2024 and is already creating a great Oscar feeling. Persistence pays off, folks.

As for Harry, he hasn’t commented on why he left the role, but it’s not the first time he’s said no to a big film. Remember Disney’s live action The Little Mermaid? director Rob Marshall confirmed that Harry was her first choice for Prince Eric Halle BaileyThis is Ariel.

So why didn’t Harry become a Disney prince? According to Rob, Harry wanted to take on darker, more serious roles and avoid musicals as he transitioned from pop star to actor. “We met with him. He was lovely. What a wonderful guy,” Rob said Weekly entertainment. “But at the end of the day, he really felt like he wanted to make the films that he ended up making, which were kind of darker.”

Translation: Harry is more about dark drama than singing underwater. “For a lot of young musicians like Harry, you’re trying to make your way and you don’t necessarily want to be seen as a singer,” Rob added. “So he really wanted to do something that wasn’t in the genre of music, to really develop himself.”

And he did it. While he was jumping The Little MermaidHarry played supporting roles in Olivia Wilde‘S Don’t worry, darling and the emotional queer drama My police officer.

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