TWO years after hanging up his football boots to pursue a career in modelling, a major curve ball has seen Romeo Beckham land his first acting role.
The 23-year-old will make his big-screen debut this November in movie Forty Love, which centres on a same-sex romance involving two rising tennis stars.
Insiders say Romeo — the middle son of David and Victoria Beckham — honed his skills during secret acting lessons last year.
A source revealed: “Romeo has long been in demand for film and TV roles, but he made sure to do the work before putting his name to anything.
“Forty Love’s script and the team behind it resonated with Romeo, plus he has first-hand experience of being a professional sportsperson and knew he could bring that knowledge and experience to the role.
“It’s a French film and is currently only slated for release over there, although there will be plans for a wider rollout.
“Romeo had a handful of lessons with acting specialists early last year before they started filming. He has put his heart and soul into this role.”
Forty Love is described as a “sensual, romantic and deeply moving fable and coming-of-age story.”
Most of the movie will be in French, but Romeo plays an English-speaking character, using his native language in his scenes.
It is a far cry from the football pitch or runways across the globe where he has modelled for Saint Laurent, Balenciaga and Burberry.
His fans have applauded his new career, with many comparing Forty Love to HBO Max series Heated Rivalry, in which two professional male ice-hockey players have a secret romance.
But Romeo himself is aware of being branded a nepo baby as he expands his showbiz CV, just like his ex-footballer dad David and former Spice Girl mum Victoria did before him.
And he is not the first famous youngster to move into acting.
Maya Hawke — daughter of Hollywood actors Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman — is now a screen star following her breakout role in Netflix’s Stranger Things.
And Lily Collins, whose father is superstar singer Phil Collins, plays the lead role in the romantic comedy Emily In Paris.
A source said: “Romeo knows there will be a lot of eyes on him, but his work will speak for itself.
“This film will show people what Romeo can do. He is an impressive actor and this is a great starting point for him.
“He is still working as a model and he has just launched his clothing range Intra, which is a project he has been working hard on in the background.
“Romeo is a grafter.”
Forty Love will be the directorial debut for fashion photographer Pierre-Ange Carlotti, who has cast French actor Paul Kircher alongside Romeo.
Paul plays the leading role of Sacha Gallo, a tennis superstar who is vying to win a major trophy in Paris under the guid- ance of his coach and father.
Romeo will play his rival — and his love interest. The film’s synopsis says of Sacha: “For the first time, he faces an opponent of an entirely different nature — love.
“A force as exhilarating as it is destabilising — and far more dangerous than anything he has encountered on the court.”
Renowned French actress Catherine Deneuve has also been cast in the film, which will be released on November 25. Those close to Romeo say he is being quietly championed behind the scenes by David and Victoria, who are “beyond proud” of his new venture.
A source added: “David and Victoria have always supported all of their children. And seeing Romeo taking on his first big film is a huge moment for them. They couldn’t be more proud of him and what he has achieved.”
News of Romeo’s acting debut had been kept a closely guarded secret.
After turning down a new contract with Brentwood FC’s B-team in 2024, he signed to top French agency Paris Safe Management and returned to working as a model.
Work poured in for the youngster, who made his modelling debut for Burberry in 2012, aged ten.
In the months after his decision to step away from football, he walked on runways for Balenciaga, Burberry and Versace, before he was put forward for the role in Forty Love. Production started on the film last summer and wrapped late last year.
“Romeo didn’t want any fanfare around his new role, so he kept it very quiet,” an insider explained. “He wanted to get his head down and get his teeth into the character and focus on that as best he could.
“Romeo is used to playing a character on the catwalk — it’s why modelling is such a stepping stone for acting jobs because you are playing a role.
“His acting lessons made sure he felt confident and then he got to work.
“By all accounts, he loved the experience and it’s likely there will be more roles to come after Forty Love comes out.” Romeo will be following in his mum’s footsteps with his jump to the big screen.
Fashion designer Victoria was the first in the family to hit the big time in the Spice Girls film, Spice World, in 1997.
To date, it is the highest-grossing film of all time by a musical group, and in the US it broke the record for the highest-ever weekend debut for a Super Bowl weekend, with box office sales of more than £8million.
Twenty years later, David followed suit with a small speaking role in Guy Ritchie’s King Arthur: Legend Of The Sword.
He said of breaking into films: “I am very aware that many sportsmen and other celebrities have turned their hand to acting and failed. I know it is a tough profession, where you need a huge amount of skill and discipline. I wouldn’t want to push myself forward too soon, without learning more about it and doing a lot more practice. But what I have done so far, I have loved.
“I can deal with most things. I am a well-known person, so I have gotten used to criticism. It was nerve-racking delivering the lines, but it actually went really well.
“The thing about sport is that it gets the heart beating faster.
“You focus the mind in order to deliver. Acting has a similar feel.”
Romeo’s sister-in-law, Nicola Peltz, who is married to his estranged brother Brooklyn, works as an actress, too. But she has failed to make her mark on the industry.
Her directorial debut Lola, which she also starred in, came out to much fanfare two years ago. But it was savaged by critics and took just £480 at the box office.
Nicola was blasted for creating a film inspired by “poverty porn”, which a commentator said was “filled to the brim with underbaked, oftentimes harmful tropes”.
Undeterred by the failure, Nicola has spent the past few months filming Prima, which is a debut from famed photographers The Morelli Brothers.
They have worked with a legion of A-list celebrities, including Hailey Bieber, Lindsay Lohan, Gwen Stefani and Kris Jenner.
The indie film will see Nicola playing a ballerina who is raised and coached by her grandmother, played by Faye Dunaway. Prima is expected to be released later this year, although no official date has been confirmed.
Romeo, alongside the wider Beckham family, has had no meaningful contact with Brooklyn since he cut himself off last year.
Insiders joked Romeo was rivalling Nicola by entering the acting sphere, but conceded: “It’s hardly a competition.
“Romeo is carving out his own lane, just as he has done his entire career.”
Brooklyn, the eldest of the Beckham clan, demanded in January that his family only contact him through lawyers.
He later issued a blistering statement insisting he no longer wanted to be a part of the family.
His decision to cut himself off was hugely painful for the Beckhams, including his younger brother Cruz, 21, and his little sister Harper, 14, who was seen delivering a letter to the home he shares with Nicola in Los Angeles earlier this month.
A source said: “Brooklyn has made his position clear and the family have respected that.
“It’s painful for everyone involved.”
Romeo will be supported by family at the release of Forty Love, with promotional screenings being drawn up beforehand.
A source said: “David and Victoria are both so incredibly proud of Romeo.
“They know how hardworking he is and have supported him throughout this project.
“Romeo knows what he wants in life and will work hard to get it.”