Talks over Harry Styles' MCU future frozen - Marvel reportedly wants to shift production burden to other projects
Harry Styles' future in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is uncertain.
The 29-year-old pop star made a surprise appearance at the end of 2021's 'Eternals' as Eros/Starfox and was set to rake in up to $10 million to reprise his role in a spin-off titled 'Eros and Pip'.
However, this particular project has reportedly been shelved due to Disney's plans to reduce the various branches of the franchise.
"Marvel chiefs have been talking openly about Harry appearing in a leading role, but that discussion has frozen," a source told the Sunday Mirror's No Filter column.
“The entire Marvel business and franchise is being re-examined. The burden falls on creating the biggest projects with the biggest returns," he emphasized.
"Harry's character is a fun and popular role, but realistically he's not the number one choice to get the Marvel franchise back on its feet," he added.
A few months earlier, Marvel Studios producer Nate Moore had argued that Harry Styles had a big future in the MCU due to his "fascinating" character Eros and his "really interesting" relationship with Thanos.
During an interview on Deadline's 'Crew Call' podcast he said: “He has a really interesting relationship with Thanos - they're half-siblings and they share the same father. He has an interesting set of powers."
“He's a complicated character, but a really fun character. And I think, having met Harry Styles, he's as charming as you want him to be. And I think there's no limit to how good that character can be if we can bring him back," he said.
Meanwhile, 'Eternals' director Chloe Zhao previously revealed why she decided to give Harry Styles a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“Not to mention, with that depressing ending, he was supposed to be one of the Eternals on the starship at some point. And he didn't exactly succeed. But I wanted to bring Eros into the MCU,” he explained.
Chloe Zhao described talking to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige about her idea to have Harry Styles appear in "Eternals" as Eros "every chance" she got.
"I liked the idea of Eros being another Eternal, another Ajak," Zhao said.
