You probably recognize him now as the gilded, muscular Adam Warlock from the Marvel universe or maybe that creepy guy from Midsommar. But if you rewind about fifteen years, young Will Poulter was just a lanky kid with some of the most expressive eyebrows in cinematic history. He didn't start out with a Hollywood roadmap. Honestly, his entry into acting was more of a happy accident born out of a genuine struggle with traditional school life.
It’s easy to look at a successful actor and assume they were the "theatre kid" who had it all figured out. Not Will. He was a student at the Harrodian School in London—the same place Robert Pattinson and George MacKay went—but he wasn't exactly thriving in the classroom. Dealing with dyslexia and dyspraxia made the standard 9-to-5 of being a student feel like a constant uphill battle. Drama wasn't just a hobby; it was the only thing that made sense to him when the textbooks didn't.
Why Son of Rambow Changed Everything
In 2007, a movie called Son of Rambow hit the indie scene. If you haven't seen it, go find it. It's basically a love letter to 80s childhood and the raw, dangerous creativity of being a bored kid. Will played Lee Carter, a "bad boy" with a hidden heart who helps his friend make a home movie inspired by Sylvester Stallone's First Blood.
He was only 13.
The wild thing is, he only auditioned because his drama teacher, Laura Lawson, pushed him to do it. He wasn't some polished child star from a talent agency. He was a raw, energetic kid who just happened to be perfect for the role of a local menace.
"I came back every day saying, 'This is what I'm going to do for the rest of my life!'"
That’s what he told The Guardian years later. His parents were understandably a bit skeptical. They told him to "chill," but once they saw how much he loved it—and frankly, how it gave him a purpose he didn't have in his academic classes—they got on board. It was basically the world's most productive summer camp.
✨ Don't miss: Is There a Just Pearly Things Boyfriend? The Truth Behind Pearl Davis’s Dating Life
The Eustace Scrubb Transformation
By 2010, the "indie kid" was gone. Young Will Poulter landed the role of Eustace Scrubb in The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
If you grew up with those books, you know Eustace is a nightmare. He’s whiny, arrogant, and deeply unlikable—until he turns into a dragon and learns some humility. Will played the "brat" so well that people genuinely started to associate his actual personality with the character. That’s the mark of a good actor, even at 17. He managed to steal scenes from established stars by leaning into the physical comedy of being a miserable, entitled cousin.
The Breakthrough: We’re the Millers and That Eyebrow
We have to talk about 2013. This was the year everything shifted from "rising British talent" to "global name."
We’re the Millers put Will in a van with Jennifer Aniston and Jason Sudeikis. He played Kenny, the dorky, virginal kid who gets bitten by a spider in a... very unfortunate place.
It was a massive hit.
Suddenly, everyone knew the kid with the eyebrows. He won the BAFTA Rising Star Award in 2014, beating out people like Lupita Nyong'o and Léa Seydoux. It’s a fan-voted award, which tells you everything you need to know about how much the public connected with him. He wasn't just a child actor anymore; he was a leading man in the making, even if he was still playing the "awkward teen."
📖 Related: Theresa Marie and Selena Gomez: The Real Story Behind the Names
Staying Grounded While Growing Up
One of the coolest things about young Will Poulter is how he handled the transition into adulthood. Most child stars flame out. They hit 19 and the industry doesn't know what to do with them. Will did the opposite. He went to the University of Bristol to study drama in 2012, showing he actually cared about the craft, not just the fame.
He stayed for a year.
He eventually dropped out because he got the role of Gally in The Maze Runner. It’s hard to stay in a lecture hall when you’re being offered a spot in a massive dystopian franchise. But that year at university kept him grounded. It’s probably why he’s known today as one of the "nicest guys in Hollywood." He’s incredibly open about his mental health and his experiences with bullying, using his platform for stuff that actually matters.
A Quick Timeline of the "Young" Years
- 2007: Breaks out in Son of Rambow as the rebellious Lee Carter.
- 2008: Stars in the School of Comedy sketch show, proving his improv chops.
- 2010: Becomes a household name in the Narnia franchise.
- 2011: Takes a gritty turn in the British indie film Wild Bill.
- 2013: Hits the mainstream with We're the Millers.
- 2014: Wins the BAFTA Rising Star Award.
What You Can Learn from His Career
If you're looking at Will Poulter's early years as a blueprint, there are a few takeaways that aren't just for actors.
📖 Related: Sydney Sweeney Viral Clips: Why the Internet Is Still Obsessed With That One Reaction
First, lean into your "flaws." Will's unique look and expressive face were things people mocked when he was younger. Now, they are his greatest assets. He didn't try to look like every other Hollywood Chris; he looked like Will Poulter.
Second, diversify early. He didn't just do big blockbusters. He did School of Comedy (which he also helped write) and small British indies like Wild Bill. This gave him a range that most child actors lack. By the time he hit his 20s, he could do a slapstick comedy or a brutal period piece like The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio.
Third, prioritize your peace. He’s been very vocal about taking breaks and not letting the "machine" eat him alive.
If you want to dive deeper into his filmography, start with his early work. Watching Son of Rambow alongside Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 is a trip. You can see the same spark in his eyes, just with a lot more muscle and gold paint now.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Watch Son of Rambow: It’s the best way to see his raw talent before the Hollywood polish.
- Follow his advocacy: Check out his work with anti-bullying charities; he’s a massive advocate for the Diana Award.
- Binge School of Comedy: If you can find the old Channel 4 clips, it shows a side of his talent that many people miss.