Actor Nicholas Hoult shared details about his upcoming role in Tom Ford's 'Cry to Heaven' during an appearance at the Red Sea Film Festival. He expressed excitement for the project, which adapts Anne Rice's 1982 novel and features a star-studded cast. Hoult also discussed his interest in starring in a Western or racing movie.
On 'Cry to Heaven'
Nicholas Hoult is set to reunite with director Tom Ford for 'Cry to Heaven,' an adaptation of Anne Rice's 1982 novel. The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast including Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Ciarán Hinds, Owen Cooper, George MacKay, Mark Strong, Colin Firth, Paul Bettany, Hunter Schafer, Thandiwe Newton, and Adele. This marks Hoult's second collaboration with Ford, following his role in the director's 2009 film 'A Single Man.'
Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival on Monday, Hoult revealed that production begins next year. "Yeah, we start shooting next year for that. I’m really looking forward to being back on set with Tom," he said. "He’s a wonderful director to work with. Just his attention to detail. His understanding of the emotions of the characters. He’s written a really beautiful script, and it’s a wonderful cast. So I’m really looking forward to working with everyone."
Interest in Westerns
Hoult recently starred in Clint Eastwood's 'Juror #2' and drew inspiration from the legendary director's work. After revisiting Eastwood's classics, he developed a strong desire to appear in a Western. "One of my all time favorite movies is ‘Unforgiven.’ I think it’s a masterpiece," Hoult noted. "So I really at some point want to do a Western."
Racing Ambitions
Beyond film, Hoult has been competing in the Ferrari Challenge Series and experienced his first crash at Daytona this year. He anticipates his debut full race in March. The actor sees parallels between racing and acting, describing both as requiring intense focus and a 'flow state.' "It’s like an intense focus, but also this kind of flow state where it’s input, output," he explained. Reflecting on the crash, Hoult recalled the surreal moment: "As I was spinning across the track, all I can remember thinking was, ‘Oh, this is what it feels like.’"
Hoult also shared a father-son bonding story inspired by the racing film 'F1,' starring Brad Pitt. After watching it together, they went go-karting, where his son mimicked Pitt's character by bringing lucky playing cards.