Hollywood actor Nicholas Hoult recently shared his surprise over Robert Pattinson’s casting as the iconic Batman in Matt Reeves’ 2022 film The Batman.
Hoult, who had auditioned for the role, recalled the moment he first learned that Pattinson had been cast.
“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 how Rob was going to be the new Batman. And I was like, ‘It’s not confirmed yet! I’m auditioning next weekend. Give me a chance,’” Hoult said.
The actor admitted that losing the role was a tough pill to swallow, describing the experience as an emotional blow. “Your imagination does not know… 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 you get excited by the prospect,” Hoult reflected. “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?’”
Despite missing out on the role, The Batman, which grossed $770 million worldwide, was a success. A sequel is already in the works.
Looking ahead, Hoult is set to play Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman. Although he initially auditioned for the title role, Gunn saw him as a better fit for the villainous character.