Harry Styles set for 'boot camp at sea' in prep for Dunkirk role

Styles is thought to have a small role in Christopher Nolan's World War II drama

Harry Styles of One Direction (Kevin Winter/Getty)

Zayn Malik might not be the only one eager to distance themselves from One Direction, judging by reports that Harry Styles is planning to live on an old Navy ship in preparation for his minor role in Dunkirk.

The boyband singer, 22, is rumoured to be making his acting debut in Christopher Nolan’s upcoming World War II drama. Clearly, he’s preparing to go full-method and actually immerse himself in life at sea, where there will be no running water, wifi or electricity for the duration of the shoot.

“Boot camp at sea” is reportedly a major part of the job, with a source telling The Sun that “producers are trying to make life on board as realistic as possible”. Harry is “keen to get stuck in”, the source said, with the rest of the cast joining him for the experience.

Styles will be performing alongside recent Oscar winner Mark Rylance and Oscar nominees Kenneth Branagh and Tom Hardy. He has been approached for film roles before, most recently by Harvey Weinstein for Tulip Fever, but has always turned them down.

Dunkirk tells the story of the 1940 Allied evacuation and is scheduled for UK release on 21 July next year.