How a phone call from Tom Cruise almost landed 'Renfield' star Nicholas Hoult the role of his career

'Renfield' actor Nicholas Hoult revealed in a recent conversation that he had missed out on three major roles in a row
UPDATED APR 17, 2023
In the comedy slasher 'Renfield', Nicholas Hoult plays Dracula's lickspittle victim and titular character (Instagram/@nicholashoult)
In the comedy slasher 'Renfield', Nicholas Hoult plays Dracula's lickspittle victim and titular character (Instagram/@nicholashoult)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actor Nicholas Hoult, who appeared recently alongside Nicolas Cage in the comedy slasher 'Renfield,' based on Dracula's lickspittle victim, revealed in a recent conversation that he had missed out on three major roles in a row after a flurry of screen tests and scheduling conflicts.

Hoult was cast at the age of five in the 1996 film 'Intimate Relations,' and made appearances in several television shows between 1998 and 2001. His big break came with his role in the 2002 comedy-drama 'About a Boy'. He said during a recent interview that he has lost major roles in movies like 'The Batman,' 'Top Gun: Maverick', and 'Mission: Impossible 7'.

READ MORE

Who will succeed Daniel Craig as next 'James Bond'? Casting director explains why young actors do not fit in

Showtime's 'Waco: The Aftermath': How was Timothy McVeigh, the 'most hated man in America' executed?

Major disappointments for Nicholas Hoult before 2020

During a recent interview with The Guardian, the actor revealed that the pandemic was his longest-ever layoff, describing that he was shut down for seven months, the longest period he has ever spent not working. He said, “I think because I was just home being dad, which was nice. And it’s easy in this industry to get Fomo – like this person’s doing this, and that’s coming out, and it’s all happening for them. You want to be in the mix. But nothing was shooting, so it was quite peaceful.”

The actor went ahead to explain that his biggest disappointments came before 2020 as he screen-tested for 'The Batman' and 'Top Gun: Maverick' but he did not get the role in either of them. He then got a call from Tom Cruise himself who asked Hoult to be a part of 'Mission Impossible 7' which he did agree to but ultimately had to drop out due to being attached to Hulu's 'The Great' in which he stars as Emperor Peter III of Russia.

Nicholas Hoult aspires to be a part of a rom-com

The actor, who is famously known for being a part of acclaimed period pieces and fantasy movies, expressed his desire to be a part of romantic-comedy projects. He said, "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."

‘Renfield’, starring Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult is now playing in theaters nationwide from Universal Pictures.

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

A Bon Jovi biopic is officially in development at Universal after a bidding war, with casting and director details still under wraps.
9 hours ago
Ryan Gosling's 'Project Hail Mary's streaming dates have been a talking point even before its release date.
9 hours ago
'Roommates' show Sadie Sandler and Chloe East play two roommates who have a hard time adjusting to each other's quirks.
10 hours ago
Fans will get a first look at ‘Godzilla Minus Zero’ at CinemaCon 2026, with Oscar-winning filmmaker set to present exclusive footage.
11 hours ago
The 98th Oscars unveil music performances featuring a ‘Sinners’ tribute and an award-winning trio performing their hit song.
12 hours ago
The new ‘Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ trailer revealed who would voice Mario’s loyal dinosaur companion, Yoshi
20 hours ago
Noah Centineo will step into an iconic role in the upcoming film, which will explore the titular character's origin story from the Vietnam War
21 hours ago
After plenty of delays, Guy Ritchie's 'In The Grey' now has a release date and it's sooner than you think.
1 day ago
Although Jennifer Runyon mostly played supporting roles, she left a mark with some iconic films, including 'Ghostbusters' and 'The In Crowd.'
1 day ago
Pixar's 'Incredibles 3' now has a new release window after languishing in the development phase for 24 years
3 days ago