Nicholas Hoult opens up about losing Batman role to Robert Pattinson, joins ‘Superman’ as Lex Luthor

Nicholas Hoult recalls learning Robert Pattinson was cast as Batman, describes emotional toll of comic book auditions.

Nicholas Hoult recently shared insights on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast about losing the role of Batman to Robert Pattinson in Matt Reeves’ 2022 film “The Batman.” 

Hoult recalled hearing on the radio that Pattinson was the top choice while he was still preparing for his own audition. The news came as an unexpected emotional blow, Hoult said, though he ultimately praised Pattinson’s performance, calling it the “right decision” for the film’s vision.

Hoult, who had been excited about portraying the iconic character, shared that auditioning for such high-profile comic book roles can be an emotional process, especially as casting news circulates widely. “You go through a period of ‘what could I have done differently?’” he said, adding that the challenge lies in transitioning from excitement to acceptance when another actor is chosen.

Despite missing out on Batman, Hoult secured a prominent role in the comic book universe as Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s upcoming “Superman.” Initially, Hoult auditioned for the role of Superman, but Gunn suggested Lex Luthor might be a better fit. Hoult praised Gunn for making the audition process smooth, noting that the team was considerate of his experience with “The Batman” casting.

Hoult previously expressed admiration for Pattinson’s portrayal of Batman, telling GQ España, “I don’t think I could have fit as well into the world that Matt created as Rob did.” With “The Batman” earning critical acclaim and a global box office of $770 million, Hoult expressed no regrets about the casting decision.