Will Harry Styles Leave One Direction? 'This Is Us' Director Morgan Spurlock Thinks Another Band Member Will Exit

Could another member of One Direction be plotting his exit? According to “One Direction: This Is Us” director Morgan Spurlock, it’s possible. The filmmaker says he believes frontman Harry Styles will follow in Zayn Malik’s footsteps and branch out on his own. After five years with the group, Malik left One Direction March 25. In an official statement he said he had " to do what feels right in my heart."

Spurlock told TMZ’s cameras he thinks Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Louis Tomlinson and Styles will “stay together for a little while" as a foursome, but that it won't last long. He predicts that in the no-so-distant future, Styles will be ready to focus on a career as a solo artist.

“I think they’ll stay together for a little bit longer and then I think at some point Harry will probably leave,” he said.

Spurlock also said he wasn’t at all surprised by Malik leaving the band as he believes he was “the most talented guy in that group.” The director said all the members of One Direction have musical gifts, but none quite parallel Malik's. He added that he supports Malik's decision to focus on his own career and thinks he chose a good time to give it a shot.

“He’s an incredible singer. All of them are talented singers -- that’s why they were all put together -- but to make the decision to leave and go off on your own and chase a solo career in the midst of being as famous as you are, as successful as you are – you can’t fault someone for that,” Spurlock told TMZ.

He’s not the only one who saw the split coming. Simon Cowell, who has been a mentor for One Direction since creating the group on "The X Factor," told “The Late Late Show” host James Corden during an appearance April 16 that he and Malik had discussed his leaving. Cowell said he tried to talk Malik into staying a bit longer, but “could see he was a bit stressed and he needed some time off.” In the end, Cowell also believes this will be for the best, adding that 1D's next album will likely be their best.

Since quitting the popular boy band, Malik has been spotted outside a recording studio several times. It is believed he is working with British music producer Naughty Boy on a solo project. Naughty released a preview of a love song the pair created, “I Won’t Mind,” but did not say if or when fans should expect to hear more from them.

The 22-year-old singer recently received his first solo award, for Outstanding Contribution to Music, at the Asian Awards in London. In his acceptance speech Malik thanked the members of One Direction, calling them “four of the best guys that I ever met whilst being in a band.” He ended by saying, “Cheers to the future,” but gave no indication what that may include.