Nosferatustar Nicholas Hoult may have worked on some of Hollywood’s biggest franchises, but the actor has revealed that he missed out on joining the originalHarry Pottermovies. Beginning his career at just six years of age, Hoult would later gain widespread recognition for his role in the 2002 comedyAbout A Boy. More recently, he has also come to be known as the younger iteration of theX-Men’sHank McCoy (AKA Beast), as well as landing the role of the iconic DC villainLex Luthor in 2025’sSuperman.
During an appearance on an episode ofFirst We Feast’s hit YouTube seriesHot Ones Versuswith hisNosferatuco-star Lily-Rose Depp, Hoult was quizzed by his co-star about his connection with the film’s producer Chis Columbus. Known for having directed the first twoHarry Pottermovies,Hoult reveals that he originally auditioned before for Columbus for multiple roles, including Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy. Admitting his attempts were far from memorable, he also quipped to Colombus that he’s still yet to hear back from him. Check out his comments and the original video below:
I think I got to the point where I auditioned with [Columbus]. He didn’t remember this, it wasn’t even a memorable audition. I think I said, “Hey, I auditioned for Harry Potter. Still waiting to hear back… I think I’m kind of going to age out of it soon.”
I remember doing a couple of auditions, and then meeting him and maybe having fake glasses for the audition. Not getting the role of Harry, and then maybe coming back and [them] being like, “Will you audition for Malfoy?”I don’t think I got that either, and then they were like just gradually audition for every role in Harry Potter until they were like, “No.”
What Missing Out On Harry Potter Meant For Hoult’s Career
Landing Potter Would Have Denied Him Other Opportunities
While Hoult has managed to achieve considerable success over the years,his career trajectory would likely have taken a significant turnhad he secured a role in theoriginalHarry Pottermovies. However, if Hoult had indeed landed the roles played by either Daniel Radcliffe or Tom Felton, it would have also meant he would have been largely unavailable for some of his more defining roles, including his breakout role opposite Hugh Grant, and potentially his laterX-MenandMad Maxcharacters.
The Best Nicholas Hoult Movies
From X-Men to The Favourite, Nicholas Hoult’s filmography is full of impressive roles and some iconic fan-favorite characters.
With production on 2011’sHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows- Part Tworunning through to late 2010,his commitments to the franchise would have directly conflicted with the simultaneous production ofX-Men: First Class. Additionally, whileMad Max: Fury Roaddid not begin its shooting until 2012, Hoult had originally been cast as George Miller’s Nux prior to signing on as theX-Men’sHank McCoy, and it was only due to theMad Maxmovie’s production delays that provided him with that particular opportunity.
Our Take On Hoult’s Unsuccessful Potter Auditions
The Superman Star Is Used To Seeing Opportunities Arise From Missed Roles
As someone who has been on stage and before cameras for the majority of his life, Hoult is no doubt well accustomed to missing out on major roles only to be later provided with better opportunities. Even his upcoming debut as the DC Universe’s new Lex Luthor has come off the back of unsuccessful audition processes. Having previously been shortlisted to play both Batman and Superman, before losing both roles to Robert Pattinson and David Corenswet, it would seem that the valuable lesson he learned in missing out onHarry Pottercontinues to serve him well.
Source:Hot Ones Versus
Harry Potter
Harry Potter is a multimedia franchise about an orphaned boy who enrolls at Hogwarts School of Wizardry, where he learns the truth about himself, his family, and the terrible evil that haunts the magical world. Adapted from the novels, Harry Potter is an eight-episode film saga that follows the journey of Harry Potter and his friends, Hermoine Granger and Ron Weasley, as they navigate the tricky world of growing up, school life, and magic. Starting from year one and moving to their seventh year, the films chronicle the students' time at Hogwarts while unfurling a sinister plot that centers around the unsuspecting Harry. With the return of the dark wizard, Voldemort, the students and professors at Hogwarts will fight to carry on as the world around them may change forever. Harry Potter has expanded beyond the world of its films and novels with several video games, a spin-off film series titled Fantastic Beasts, and even attractions at Universal Studios.
