Cillian Murphy praises Dunkirk co-star Harry Styles: ‘He’s great – Chris Nolan cast him for a reason’

Co-stars: Cillian Murphy has praised Dunkirk co-star Harry Styles
Fred Duval/Getty Images
Jennifer Ruby31 August 2016
The Weekender

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Cillian Murphy has spoken out to praise Dunkirk co-star Harry Styles.

The Peaky Blinders actor, who stars in Christopher Nolan’s forthcoming World War II epic, has described the One Direction star as a ‘great kid.’

Speaking to the Radio Times, Murphy said: “Harry Styles is great. I had very few scenes with Harry but we got to hang out and I’ve got to say he’s a great, great kid, and really, really funny.

“Above all, Chris Nolan [the director] knows talent and would have cast Harry for a reason.”

He added: “There’s a long history of musicians moving over into acting and I come from that world myself, so I’m sure he’ll be terrific in the role. I trust Chris implicitly in that.”

Nolan released the first teaser trailer for the eagerly-awaited film earlier this month, featuring a sterling cast including Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance and Kenneth Branagh.

The film focuses on the 1940 evacuation of Allied troops by the British army from the city of Dunkirk.

Styles was a surprise addition to the cast of Oscar winners and nominees in his first film role.

Rylance recently praised his acting abilities, telling the Evening Standard: “No, he doesn’t need tips. He is shaping up.

“I didn’t know anything about him really other than my 12-year-old niece played me a music video. She adores him. There are girls all over the place trying to get to him — he is one handsome fella with an incredible smile and eyes.

“What’s really surprised me is he’s really witty, really funny — he really makes me laugh. He’s been ever so brave, not making any fuss.”

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