Featured Image Credit: Alamy/UPI/FlixPix
Topics: Batman, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, Film and TV
Ben Thompson
Topics: Batman, Nicolas Cage, Tom Cruise, Film and TV
Actors are always told to prepare for rejection when going into the industry, and Nicholas Hoult has definitely learnt that better than anybody.
The former Skins star recently opened up about losing out on three killer job opportunities in a row, missing the chance to appear in The Batman, Top Gun: Maverick and Mission Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One.
Hoult, who has appeared in Hollywood flicks such as The Menu and Mad Max: Fury Road, revealed that he had failed screen tests for the former two films.
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The role in Batman went to Robert Pattinson, who is set to reprise his role as the caped crusader when the sequel goes into production later this year.
In regards to Top Gun, it's not clear what role Hoult was vying for, but it's a safe bet that it was either Bradley 'Rooster' Bradshaw or Jake 'Hangman' Seresin'.
The roles of these Top Gun graduates went to Miles Teller and Glenn Powell respectively.
Pretty gutting to lose out on appearing in two huge blockbusters, both of which grossed hundreds of millions at the box office.
However, he then received a call from Tom Cruise himself, who had an offer that he couldn't turn down.
Speaking to The Guardian, the British actor said: "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."
So, third times the charm, right? Not quite.
Unfortunately, Hoult's busy schedule prevented him being able to stick with the project.
A few months after he won the role in January 2020, Hoult withdrew from the film and was replaced by Esai Morales.
According to Hoult, his contractual commitments to the Hulu comedy, The Great, meant he couldn't find the time to film his role opposite Cruise.
Talk about bad timing.
Hoult is currently promoting his new movie Renfield, in which he plays the role of R.M. Renfield, the long suffering servant of Count Dracula.
And in the role of Renfield's boss is no other than Nicolas Cage.
Speaking of the role his co-star would be taking on, Cage said: "Usually when you see Renfield in the movies, he’s portrayed in a sort of a grotesque manner.
"Nick is a very charming, handsome, elegant, funny and witty actor. So this is a unique take."
You can sink your teeth into Renfield from this week, as the film is out in cinemas.