S Poddar
Nicholas Hoult recently opened up about the emotional rollercoaster of almost getting the coveted role of Batman for Matt Reeves’ much-heralded film, only to see the part given to another actor. Speaking on the Happy Sad Confused podcast with Josh Horowitz, Hoult dug deeper into hope, disappointment, and acceptance following a loss to Robert Pattinson.
I recall a point when he shared the experience, saying it was vivid that brought hope and doubt. He said, ‘I remember a week before we did the Batman test, I was driving in my car, and I had the radio on, and they were talking on the radio about how Rob was going to be the new Batman,'” Hoult recalled. By the time he heard about it on the radio, he was holding onto a little sliver of hope: “It’s not confirmed yet! I’m auditioning next weekend. I was like, give me a chance.” That oxymoronic mix of disbelief and hope was something that he would keep with him as he prepared for his final audition.
Hoult further explained the complexity of emotions that close proximity to such a coveted role brings about:. ‘Your imagination doesn’t know [but] you are aware on a practical level: ‘I know I am auditioning against Rob.’ And Rob is fantastic in that movie. That was the right decision. But also you get excited by the prospect.” Clearly, Hoult had respect for Pattinson’s abilities and understood that he was suited for the role, but the whole idea of being Batman was impossible to dislodge from his head. Apart from admiration for Pattinson, Hoult had praise for even Matt Reeves, director of the Batman project.
According to him, “Matt is a fantastic director and the script and everything”. I thought this was going to be some cool movie, and I wanted to be part of it, and a brilliant character. His respect for the creative team and the potential of the character deepened his desire to be involved, making the final outcome all the more challenging to accept. After he lost that role, Hoult realized the “what ifs” and whether, well, there might have been something done differently.
He explained, “There’s a weird period before you can get to the acceptance and see the movie and be like that was the right choice. You go through the period of ‘what could I have done different? Why not me? ‘You run through all those things.’ The actor revealed how the experience made him have to really work through those nagging questions inside before he could finally settle for the notion that things turned out the way they should.
What Hoult confessed to, though, was the fact that, really, the detailed auditioning for such a role takes a lot out of an actor, especially in blockbuster franchise series, and fanatic fans. Sighing at the experience, he says, “it’s a lot to put yourself through emotionally.” To put so much into auditioning only to be left off is the process he doesn’t take lightly.
Interestingly, Hoult was already in Batman, so when the audition call for the lead in James Gunn’s Superman: Legacy came across, he was hesitant and was not keen on going for it. However, he finally decided to go for it as according to him, Gunn’s way made everything a lot more fluid. Though that didn’t get him the part of Superman, Hoult plays the legendary Superman antagonist Lex Luthor. Although it is not one of his primary goals, this role enables him to be part of another iconic superhero movie, which he has been welcoming arms open wide.
For Hoult, playing Superman will be one of those second chances and a new beginning. The film is scheduled for theatrical release worldwide on July 11, 2025, wherein he plays a complex character in the DC universe and will get another chance at something he never even fathomed.
The story revolves around the career journey of Hoult, reflective of the ups and downs so many actors face in their pursuit of landing a big role. His career has shown the passion, tenacity, and acceptance needed to traverse Hollywood’s high tide and low points. The coming of Superman: Legacy will be an interesting addition to Hoult’s promising career with his near-Batman-to-Lex Luthor journey.
