Paul Weller has ditched his trademark long, blond hair for his acting debut in Oscar-buzzed film Blitz.
Fans were blown away when a clip of the Jam legend, 66, in the role dropped on Good Morning Britain today.
The Going Underground hitmaker is taking on the part of Gerald in the World War II film, directed by Steve McQueen.
Blitz centres around a family – grandfather Gerald, his daughter Rita (Saoirse Ronan) and grandson, protagonist George (played by newcomer Elliot Heffernan) – who live in the East End during Nazi Germany’s bombing campaign of 1940-41.
Scored by Hans Zimmer, the film – which Metro rated five stars – follows youngster George as he fights against being evacuated from the country, and journeys back home to Stepney Green.
Fans couldn’t believe the transformation and his surprising career move, as @lornypop said: ‘I need to go see Blitz. Wow that was a surprise, Mr Paul Weller, acting debut!!!! Now I just need to tune into Apple TV.’
Under an Instagram picture of Paul in the role, romaramss said: ‘It looks like his gave himself a brand new start.’
‘Defo something to look forward to,’ added brownieam_, while stuart.mccallum said: ‘Best Supporting Actor nomination inbound.’
Speaking in a recorded clip on GMB, Paul reflected that the role has personal meaning to him, as short snippets of him in the new film played.
‘Gerald is resolutely anti-racist, so there are things I can relate to because it’s not too far away from where I’m at as well,’ he said.
‘The family aspect of it is something I was brought up in – a working class family, living in a funny little terraced house.
‘I remember my dad telling me they were in an air raid shelter one night and they came out in the morning and their whole street had been flattened. The whole street had gone.
‘My mum was evacuated as a child during the war. I was only born 18 years after the war ended so it was still fresh in that generation’s mind, never mind my grandparents, who’d been through WWI and WWII.’
While it is based on wartime London, the scenes were shot in Hull, as streets in the northern city were suddenly transported to the 1940s, with vintage posters and old red buses.
Blitz is released in UK cinemas on November 1, and will then be available to stream on Apple TV+ on November 22.
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