Nosferatus star Nicholas Hoult may have worked on some of Hollywood's biggest franchises, but the actor revealed he missed out on the opportunity to join the original franchise Harry Potter films. Beginning his career at just six years old, Hoult would later gain widespread recognition for his role in the 2002 comedy. About a Boy. More recently, he has also come to be known as the youngest iteration of the X-Men's Hank McCoy (aka Beast), as well as landing the role of iconic DC villain Lex Luthor in 2025 Superman.
During an appearance on an episode of First we partyhit YouTube series Hot versus with your Nosferatus co-star Lily-Rose Depp, Hoult was asked by his co-star about his connection to the film's producer Chis Columbus. Known for having directed the first two Harry Potter films, Hoult reveals he originally auditioned before for Columbus for several rolesincluding Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Admitting that his attempts were far from memorable, he also joked to Colombus that he has yet to receive a response from him. Check out his comments and the original video below:
I think I got to the point where I tested with [Columbus]. He didn't remember it, nor was it a memorable test. I think I said: “Hey, I auditioned for Harry Potter. I'm still waiting for an answer... I think I'm going to get old soon.”
I remember doing a few auditions and then meeting him and maybe wearing fake glasses for the audition. Not getting the part of Harry, and then maybe coming back and [them] being like, “Will you audition for Malfoy? I don't think I understood it either, and so they gradually auditioned for each role in Harry Potter until they said, “No.”
What losing Harry Potter meant for Hoult's career
Landing Potter would have denied him other opportunities
Although Hoult has managed to achieve considerable success over the years, your career trajectory would likely have taken a significant turn If he had secured a role in the original Harry Potter films. However, if Hoult had actually landed the roles played by Daniel Radcliffe or Tom Felton, it would also mean that he would have been unavailable for some of his most defining roles, including his breakout role opposite Hugh Grant, and potentially his later role. X-Men and Mad Max characters.
With production in 2011 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part Two going until the end of 2010, their commitments to the franchise would have been in direct conflict with the simultaneous production of X-Men: First Class. Furthermore, while Mad Max: Fury Road Didn't begin filming until 2012, Hoult was originally cast as George Miller's Nux before signing on as the X-Men's Hank McCoy, and it was only due to Mad Max delays in the production of the film that provided him with this specific opportunity.
Our Take on Hoult's Unsuccessful Potter Auditions
The Superman star is used to seeing opportunities arise from lost roles
As someone who has been on stage and in front of the camera for most of her life, Hoult is undoubtedly used to missing out on major roles only to later get better opportunities. Even his debut as the DC Universe's new Lex Luthor resulted from unsuccessful audition processes. Having previously been selected to play Batman and Superman, before losing both roles to Robert Pattinson and David Corenswet, it seems the valuable lesson he learned from losing Harry Potter continues to serve you well.
Source: Hot versus