Nicholas Hoult on Skins, Filmmakers, and Childhood Acting Fears

Nicholas Hoult Opens Up About Child Actor Fears and Embracing Supervillain Role

British actor Nicholas Hoult recently reflected on his long career. He spoke at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah. Hoult discussed his early fears and his upcoming role as Lex Luthor.

The actor became famous as a child in the film About a Boy. He shared how he worried about the common pitfalls for young performers. Now, he is preparing to play Superman’s famous enemy in James Gunn’s new film.

Nicholas Hoult Lex Luthor

From Child Star to Franchise Veteran

Hoult started acting at a very young age. His breakout role came at age 11. He starred opposite Hugh Grant in the 2002 hit.

Despite early success, he heard constant warnings. People often talked about child actors who struggle as adults. He credits his family for keeping his life normal and grounded.

His career successfully transitioned to adulthood. He joined the popular teen series Skins. That show launched many successful careers.

Later, he entered major film franchises. He played Beast in the X-Men films. He also starred in Mad Max: Fury Road.

Landing the Role of Lex Luthor in *Superman*

Hoult’s latest high-profile role is Lex Luthor. He initially auditioned to play Superman for director James Gunn. While reading the script, he felt drawn to the villain instead.

He found the character’s dialogue “delicious.” Hoult saw complexity in Luthor’s motivations. He worked closely with Gunn to develop the role during rehearsals.

His research included specific comic books. He also watched classic Superman films. Hoult is excited to follow in the footsteps of actor Gene Hackman.

The new Superman movie is one of the most anticipated projects. Hoult’s portrayal will be a major part of its appeal. Fans are eager to see his take on the iconic villain.

Nicholas Hoult’s journey shows a remarkable career evolution. He overcame early fears to become a versatile star. His role as Lex Luthor marks his latest major challenge.

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What did Nicholas Hoult say about being a child actor?

He said everyone warned him about child actors struggling later. He had a fear his career might not work out as an adult. His family helped by keeping his life very normal.

How did he get the role in the *X-Men* movies?

He was originally cast in *Mad Max*, but it was delayed. His agents told him about the Beast role. He flew to Australia for a quick audition and screen test.

What was it like working on *Mad Max: Fury Road*?

He called it a strange and incredible experience. The audition alone lasted four hours. Filming in the desert was loud, chaotic, and awe-inspiring.

Why did he want to play Lex Luthor instead of Superman?

While reading the script, he found Lex’s scenes more interesting. He felt he could understand the character’s complex motivations. He believed he was better suited for the villain role.

Which directors does he want to work with?

He mentioned Sean Baker, Quentin Tarantino, and Christopher Nolan. He praised Baker’s work on films like *The Florida Project*. He joked he wouldn’t say no to Nolan.