Nicholas Hoult Talks Losing Roles in The Batman, Top Gun & Dropping Out of Mission: Impossible

Nicholas Hoult is currently busy as the loyal servant of Nicolas Cage’s Dracula in the horror-comedy Renfield, directed by Chris McKay. Most recently, the 33-year-old actor has shared the lead with Ralph Fiennes and Anya Taylor-Joy in the comedy-thriller The Menu, for which both the film and Hoult received exalted reviews.

Hoult has taken part in blockbusters such as Beast in the X-Men franchise, Harley in Yorgos Lantimos’ The Favourite, and Nux in George Miller’s Mad Max: Fury Road, one of the best action movies of all time. Although he’s worked with master directors, he was battered by critics and audiences until the role of Emperor Peter in Hulu’s The Great, created by Tony McNamara, which centers on Russian Tsarina Catherine the Great, and he proved to have developed his acting talent in an admirable way. And for Hoult, the hit series with Elle Fanning is a priority over everything, even Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible, a blockbuster action franchise.

Nicholas Hoult said that he screen-tested Matt Reeves’ The Batman and the box office smash hit Top Gun: Maverick but didn’t get the role, and he had to drop out of Mission Impossible because he focused on The Great. He told The Guardian, ”I screen-tested for Batman, and didn’t get it. Screen-tested for Top Gun, didn’t get it. Then I got the call from Tom Cruise: ‘Hey, how about Mission Impossible?’ OK. Got it. Then I had to drop out because I was already attached to do some more of The Great.” Hoult said.

Related: Nicholas Hoult on Renfield and His History with Dracula Movies: ‘I’ve Gone Back to Watch and Study Them’

Although Hoult is 33 years old, his career includes many films, from sci-fi and historical dramas to biographical stories. However, he has yet to star in a rom-com, which may be the direction he takes in the future. But not as the lead role.

”I would like to go do a romcom. Though maybe not as a romantic lead: it sounds like there’s slightly less to explore with those characters. But maybe people just don’t think of me like that, maybe I don’t get sent the good ones. I’d love to pretend it’s all my doing, but it’s more about when things align and when directors cast you. Don’t look at me, I just work here.”

Hoult is pretty busy after the pandemic, which he says is the longest period he’s ever been without work in his life. He stars in Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated Nosferatu remake alongside The Great, which will air its third season on May 12. In addition, Nicholas Hoult and Toni Collette will star in Clint Eastwood’s next and final movie, Juror #2.