Harry Styles was attached to Robert Eggers’ remake of “Nosferatu” for a short time before dropping out owing to scheduling issues. The casting walkout was first reported by The New Yorker. A spokeswoman for Styles verified the news when contacted by Variety. If Styles hadn’t dropped out, “Nosferatu” would have paired the Grammy winner and “Dunkirk” actor with Anya Taylor-Joy.

Variety first reported in 2017 that director Robert Eggers of “The Witch” and “The Lighthouse” was working on his own “Nosferatu” film starring Taylor-Joy, who worked with Eggers on their breakout indie “The Witch.” “The Northman,” directed by Dave Eggers and starring Taylor-Joy, will be released in theatres on April 22. COVID postponed production on “The Northman” until 2020, which explains why the director’s “Nosferatu” plans have remained open-ended. Eggers stated earlier this year that he and Taylor-Joy are still in talks to make the film, which will be a remake of F. W. Murnau’s legendary 1922 vampire movie.

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Eggers has always considered Murnau’s “Nosferatu” to be one of his favourite films. “It was an indie horror in its day, a touch rough around the edges, yet it’s one of the greatest and most disturbing pictures ever created,” the filmmaker once told Shudder. The freshly restored colour-tinted copies are stunning, but I still like the crappy black-and-white versions made from 16mm print scraps. Those filthy versions have an odd aura about them, and they contributed to the legend of Max Shreck being a true vampire. “

Styles’ filmography already includes Christopher Nolan’s “Dunkirk,” Chloe Zhao’s “Eternals” (in which he appeared in the post-credits sequence, paving the way for future appearances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe), Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling” with Florence Pugh, and Michael Grandage’s upcoming “My Policeman.” In the latter film, Styles stars alongside “The Crown” breakout Emma Corrin as a gay police officer in the 1950s. The drama is set to premiere this fall and is based on Bethan Roberts’ novel.

Styles will release his third solo album before “My Policeman.” Earlier this month, the musician stated that “Harry’s House” would be released on May 20. Styles’ self-titled debut in 2017 and his critically acclaimed 2019 follow-up “Fine Line” won him a Grammy for pop solo performance for the single “Watermelon Sugar.” “As It Was,” the first single from “Harry’s House,” will be released on April 1.