Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Nicholas Hoult on Clint Eastwood casting him in ‘Juror No 2’: “Surely there’s been a mix-up”

Mon 28 October 2024 17:40, UK

British actor Nicholas Hoult has opened up about Clint Eastwood casting him in his upcoming movie, Juror No 2, revealing he was shocked to discover Eastwood was aware of his existence.

Despite his prowess in Hollywood, having starred in successful movies such as The Menu, The Favourite and Mad Max: Fury Road, Hoult still didn’t expect that his work would have appeared on Eastwood’s radar.

The movie, which is set for a limited cinematic release on November 1st, sees Hoult plays the lead role as Justin Kemp, who starts to believe he may have been at fault for the victim’s death in the trial he’s sitting on the jury for. This realisation place him in the midst of a moral dilemma over whether or not he should come clean and turn himself in, or manipulate the jury to save his own skin.

The film also stars JK Simmons, Toni Collette, Kiefer Sutherland, Zoe Deutch, and Leslie Bibb alongside Hoult.

Eastwood has heaped praise on Hoult’s performance in Juror No 2, claiming the English is actor “what I think a movie star is” during a conversation with People. The legendary director also said the whole cast made shooting the project a pleasurable experience, stating, “Everyone was very professional, came prepared and ready to work, but more than that they came and we laughed every day. Whether I’m directing or acting, I think it’s important to enjoy the work, and we did.”

Now, Hoult has spoke to People at the premiere for the movie, and revealed how he was cast in the project which is believed to be Eastwood’s final film. “It came out the blue where I got a call from my agent saying, ‘Clint Eastwood wants you to do his next movie.’ And I was truly shocked,” he remarked.

Hoult continued: “I was like, ‘Surely there’s been a mix-up. This has to be a mistake. How does Clint Eastwood know who I am?’ And then they were like, ‘No, no mistake. He does know who you are and he wants you to be in the movie.'”

Hoult was impressed with Eastwood’s directorial skill and was taken aback by the Oscar-winner’s sense of humour, stating, “He creates a wonderful atmosphere. And he’s a true icon of cinema.”

Is Clint Eastwood’s new movie being buried?

Last week, Variety reported that Juror No 2 would only be receiving a limited cinematic release by Warner Bros, and would only be available to watch in less than 50 cinemas across the United States. Furthermore, it was also alleged that the distributor would not be sharing box office revenue, which is a peculiar move for a film of this magnitude.

The budget for Juror No 2 is allegedly around the $30 million mark, therefore, it makes little sense from a business perspective to not give the movie a wider-theatrical release to recoup the sizeable investment made by Warner Bros.

As of yet, Eastwood is yet to comment on reports that Warner Bros aren’t planning to give the film maximum exposure. However, he was conspicuously absent from the premiere of Juror No 2 which took place at the closing night of AFI Fest in Los Angeles on October 27th.