Danny Dyer, 47, is starring in the new film Marching Powder, where he reunites with Football Factory director Nick Love. In a heartwarming twist, Dyer cast his own son, Arty, to play his child in the film after struggling to find an appropriate actor for the role.
The film explores themes of toxic masculinity, modern manhood, and sobriety, with Dyer’s character portraying a flawed father who isn’t very emotionally available. Dyer explained in an interview that the role required a special bond between father and child, which led him to make a personal choice: to cast his son, Arty.
In an interview, Dyer revealed that Arty was the same age as his on-screen son, making the casting choice a natural fit. “They couldn’t find anyone to play this child,” Dyer said. “There’s some really intimate stuff between me and my son in this that I don’t think I could have pulled off with someone else’s kid.”
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One of the key scenes in the film is a "babysitting montage," where Dyer and Arty improvised together, adding a genuine father-son dynamic to the scene. Dyer shared how much the experience meant to him, saying it was "really lovely" to work with Arty on set.
The casting director had initially considered cutting the role of the child because they couldn’t find another actor willing to perform the intimate scenes. Dyer mentioned that no other child actor would have been able to do it, emphasizing how the emotional connection between him and Arty was crucial to the role.
Despite his son’s natural talent, Dyer doesn’t believe Arty will follow in his footsteps into acting. He explained, “He’s got a f*****g amazing brain,” but noted that Arty has a passion for aviation and might pursue a career as an engineer instead.
Dyer explained that Marching Powder explores the challenging relationship between fathers and their sons, and he believes the film’s depiction of a father who loves his son but struggles to express it will resonate with many men. “There’s some stuff in there that I think will choke a lot of men up,” he said. “The way we interact with our sons, it’s important.”
Danny Dyer'son in Marching Powder (@truebritent)
The father-son relationship at the heart of the film is a personal and emotional journey for Dyer, one that he believes will strike a chord with audiences.
Though Dyer doesn’t think Arty is interested in acting, he made it clear that he would support him in whatever path he chooses. "I’d like him to be a child. I don’t want him to be famous because I know how toxic that can be,” Dyer explained. “Fame comes with a lot of baggage.”
He also shared that Arty has a deep interest in planes, impressively identifying their engines and wings. While Dyer wants his son to have a normal childhood, he also expressed pride in Arty’s talents.
Dyer joked that if Marching Powder does well, there might be a sequel—and in that case, Arty would likely return to work alongside him. “Listen, if it does well, there could be a sequel, and then he’ll be back with me,” Dyer said, adding that he would love the opportunity to work with his son again.
Danny Dyer
He also reflected on his career, noting that he is now in a position to be more selective about his roles, choosing projects that resonate with him rather than taking roles out of necessity.
Marching Powder arrives in cinemas on March 7, and Danny Dyer’s heartwarming collaboration with his son Arty adds a unique, personal touch to the film. The father-son dynamic at the center of the movie not only enhances its emotional depth but also offers a glimpse into Dyer’s own life as a father.
