Christopher Nolan's Dunkirk lead set to be complete unknown Fionn Whitehead
The young Brit's only credit is upcoming ITV supernatural drama, Him
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Your support makes all the difference.Christopher Nolan directed Heath Ledger to a posthumous Academy Award in The Dark Knight, made a star of Tom Hardy via Inception and helped play a part in the McConaissance with Interstellar, so when the filmmaker casts a complete unknown as his new film's lead, it's an idea to pay attention.
According to The Wrap, the actor in question is Fionn Whitehead whose list of credits include... not much. It's unknown where Nolan spotted the young Brit, but it is believed he's one of two rising stars the director wishes to cast in his upcoming WWII drama Dunkirk.
Whitehead is a member of the prestigious National Youth Theatre and will star in three-part ITV supernatural series Him.
The previously announced cast members include the aforementioned Hardy, Kenneth Branagh and Bridge of Spies Oscar-winner Mark Rylance who will all play supporting roles in the film that's being written by Nolan and produced by his wife, Emma Thomas.
Warner Bros has reportedly declined to comment on the casting.
Dunkirk will be shot on both IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format film photography with the director hoping the war drama to be as immersive an experience as his space opus Interstellar.
Shooting is scheduled to begin in May with Nolan planning to integrate the actual locations of the real-life events, as well as using full-size battleships that saw action in the war.
Nolan's filmography also consists of Memento, Insomnia and The Prestige .
The film will be released July 2017.
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