Harry Styles turned down Christmas romcom role for one crucial reason
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Singer Harry Styles declined a role in a Christmas-themed romcom for one crucial reason. Styles was confirmed as in contention for the coveted role in Paul Feig's festive romcom, Last Christmas, starring alongside Emilia Clarke. The "Watermelon Sugar" hitmaker, who has graced the screen in Dunkirk and Marvel's Eternals, as well as the psychological thriller Don't Worry Darling, opened up about his decision to pass on the film post-release.
Henry Golding of The Gentlemen and Crazy Rich Asians fame ultimately filled the spot, although Styles was the original pick for the lead. Despite the 2019 movie's success, grossing £100million and featuring Clarke and Emma Thompson, it wasn't until November 2021 that Styles confirmed he had been considered for the lead role.
Just two years later, he would make an appearance in Eternals. After his last cinematic outing in 2022's My Policeman, Styles shared that he felt too "young" for the part in Last Christmas. Director Feig also expressed his admiration for Styles, saying: "I love Harry. We wanted him to play the part that Henry Golding played but he turned it down because he felt he was too young for the role. I've tried to get him in a few movies.".
While Styles may have stepped aside for Golding in the George Michael-inspired flick, which is available on Netflix, he would soon step into another high-profile actor's shoes just three years on. Initially, Shia LaBeouf was in the running to star alongside Florence Pugh in Don't Worry Darling – but a public disagreement between director Olivia Wilde and LaBeouf led to his departure from the project, with LaBeouf denying he was fired.
