Clint Eastwood’s Racy Nickname for Nicholas Hoult Caps Actor’s Breakout Year in Hollywood
December 23, 2024
Nicholas Hoult's 2024 transformation showcased his versatility through three distinct roles: a morally conflicted juror in Clint Eastwood's gripping legal thriller "Juror #2," the haunted Thomas Hutter in Robert Eggers' reimagining of "Nosferatu," and an initiate drawn into hidden power structures in "The Order." Each performance highlighted different facets of his dramatic range, from psychological tension to supernatural horror to shadowy intrigue.
His collaboration with Eastwood proved particularly memorable. "Oh, it was magic," Hoult shared on Late Night with Seth Meyers. "He is cinema in many ways. He's like a jazz musician of a director; very musical in life." Further explaining to PEOPLE in November, "[Eastwood's] done the score for many of his movies, so his movies have their own rhythm and pace…He's just an incredibly talented and kind man. I felt very fortunate to spend time with him and work with him…He's very funny. He's got a sharp wit, a dry sense of humor, and so that was also great because we would laugh a lot."
That humor was on full display during filming. On Meyers, Hoult revealed an intriguing detail, noting Eastwood's signature "wicked sense of humor." Hoult recalled, "he had seen a show I did called 'The Great' and my character [Russia's eccentric Peter the Great] is meant to be very good—he calls it his 'tongue trick,'" Hoult added. "And Clint really liked the show, so when I would walk on to set he would salute me in the mornings and say, 'Cap'n Lingus.' And that memory will forever live with me, and I'd like you all to refer to me as that from now on."
His transformation from character actor to leading man has been matched by an evolution in style. Between promotional duties for "Juror #2" and preparing for his role as Lex Luthor in James Gunn's 2025 "Superman" film, Hoult has emerged as an unexpected fashion icon. This was evident during a recent outing in New York, where he appeared in a sophisticated Bottega Veneta ensemble: a knitted wool check kimono coat layered over black wool and cashmere, paired with leather trousers and Strut lace-ups in Midtown Manhattan.
As Hoult told Esquire earlier this month, he dresses "to be cozy," a noteworthy trend menswear has been refining in recent seasons. Hoult's wardrobe evolution has been perfected over the years with the aid of industry veterans Wendi and Nicole Ferreira, who have guided leading men like Jacob Elordi and Logan Lerman in similar style transformations. Menswear publication GQ remarked on the shift, "powerful celebrity stylists have transmuted the notion that while we can't all be Lenny Kravitz, we all could sort of dress like him." Both on and off the red carpet, Hoult has been dressed by an impressive roster of luxury houses, from Saint Laurent to Prada, Dior, and Burberry.
As 2024 draws to a close, Hoult's trajectory follows his evolution from early roles in "A Single Man" and the X-Men franchise to complex, critically acclaimed performances. With "Juror #2" streaming on Max, "Nosferatu" releasing this Christmas, and his upcoming role in "Superman" as Lex Luthor in what could potentially be 2025's biggest blockbuster, Hoult has affirmed his position as one of Hollywood's most compelling actors.
