Nicholas Hoult, known for portraying Hank McCoy, also called Beast, in the X-Men film series from 2011 to 2019, recently expressed his thoughts on the chance of reprising his role in the forthcoming Avengers: Secret Wars. This film, part of Marvel Studios’ Multiverse Saga, is set to bring together characters from various Marvel universes, including the classic X-Men previously produced by 20th Century Fox, whose rights were acquired by Disney.
While other legacy X-Men actors such as Patrick Stewart (Professor X) and Ian McKellen (Magneto) have been confirmed to appear in the upcoming Avengers movies, Hoult’s involvement remains uncertain. Instead, Kelsey Grammer, who also played Beast in earlier X-Men adaptations, has been announced for the MCU’s multiverse storyline, leaving Hoult’s role unclear.
Hoult Reflects on His Chances to Return as Beast
Discussing his potential casting in Avengers: Secret Wars during an interview, Hoult addressed whether his role as Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s upcoming Superman film affected his likelihood of appearing as Beast in the MCU. Hoult stated plainly,
“No. I don’t think I had a high chance anyway.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
When asked about competing with Kelsey Grammer for the Beast role in the MCU, Hoult acknowledged Grammer’s legacy, saying,
“Yeah. Yes. He’s a good Beast. Kelsey Grammer. The first.”
—Nicholas Hoult, Actor
Focus on Original X-Men Cast Limits Hoult’s Return Prospects
Fans of Hoult’s portrayal of Beast express strong interest in seeing him return, but the MCU appears to be prioritizing characters from the original X-Men trilogy over players from the newer slate featuring Hoult, James McAvoy, and Michael Fassbender. The crossover plans currently lean toward integrating actors like Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen, who starred in Bryan Singer’s X-Men series under 20th Century Fox, rather than the subsequent cast of the franchise’s later installments.
This focus on the original film cast means Hoult’s participation in Avengers: Secret Wars, or its predecessor Doomsday, is highly doubtful at this point. No actors from the X-Men: First Class era or beyond, including Hoult’s cohort, have yet been confirmed for these multiversal event films.
Avengers: Secret Wars Promises Major Multiversal Collision in MCU
Scheduled to open in theaters on December 17, 2027, Avengers: Secret Wars will mark the conclusion of the MCU’s current Multiverse Saga. The film will feature a wide roster of heroes, ranging from Chris Hemsworth’s Thor and Anthony Mackie’s Captain America to Letitia Wright’s Black Panther, all converging with the classic X-Men universe, now officially part of Marvel Studios after Disney’s acquisition of Fox’s entertainment assets.
This crossover represents a turning point for the MCU as it merges previously separate timelines and casts, although it remains to be seen how many actors from different X-Men eras will be included in this ambitious story.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Was Nicholas Hoult in Harry Potter?
A. Nicholas Hoult tried out for several key roles in the Harry Potter movies but wasn’t chosen for any of them, according to IMDb. Although he’s been part of major film series, he shared that he didn’t get a spot in the original Harry Potter films.
Q. Are Jennifer Lawrence and Nicholas Hoult still friends?
A. Hoult and Lawrence met while working on the first film of the series and dated for five years. They have stayed friends after breaking up.
