‘Jack the Giant Killer’ trailer: Is Nicholas Hoult leading man material?

The new trailer for Jack the Giant Killer has arrived, and I have very mixed feelings as a result. Of course, the movie is an adaptation of a tale (and a remake of a 1962 film in name only) that is closely associated with Jack and the Beanstalk except that this variation of the tale makes the titular Jack much more of a badass because he not only climbs the beanstalk but also must fight a race of giants that descend to claim the Earth for their own. Or at least, Jack is supposed to be a badass. Judge for yourself:

In short, this movie combines both folk tales, but this movie’s trailer, from director Brian Singer (X-Men; The Usual Suspects; Valkyrie) makes Jack seem much less of “plucky” slayer of giants and more of an “emo Brat” who looks entirely unaware of his surroundings. Also rather unimpressive in the trailer is the entrance of Princess Isabelle (Eleanor Tomlinson), who seems so boobily engineered as to virtually guarantee massive geek salivation. Overall, the production looks mightily overwrought, but at least we’re going to see Stanley Tucci, Ian McShane, and Ewan McGregor, right?

Also, Kaiser thinks that it’s probably “too soon” for Nicholas Hoult to claim leading-man status. I agree and sort of think that, despite Hoult’s pedigree (X-Men: First Class; A Single Man), he might be better suited taking his chances in romcom territory instead of just as an action guy. Hoult played Hank McCoy/Beast in First Class with a touch of sensitivity, and I think he could probably make young women swoon onscreen in a low-budget romantic role. At this point, however, he’s taking a huge gamble as the lead in a blockbuster type movie. Hoult doesn’t quite have the star power to either drive people into theater seats or claim it as a real career success if the movie ends up doing well. If Jack the Giant Killer does make a ton of money, it will be because people want to see a mindless action movie, and if it fails, then Hoult will probably be Hollywood toast.

Photos courtesy of AllMoviePhoto

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26 Responses to “‘Jack the Giant Killer’ trailer: Is Nicholas Hoult leading man material?”

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  1. Lisa says:

    He’s really highly regarded in Britain and really came of age in Skins which was brilliant. I think he’ll be good in this, he’s definitely got the talent.

    • samab says:

      SKINS!!!!love every character in that show so I loved him too…great field for actors that skins series.they were really all kind of talented and willing to act,not just be famous

  2. Dee Cee says:

    Well you got the angelic giants that came to earth and began eating everything including mankind, taking the women and making baby giants with them.. then a flood to destroy them.. but Goliath was still alive.. so based on some history..? He seems semi-retarded, modern speaking and by his attitude for that film

    Waking sleeping giants: Two new books on Dutch megaliths

    11 – 30 / 2010

    Two new books by specialists Jan Albert Bakker and Wout Arentzen trace the fascination with hunebeds and antiquarian research through the ages. Dutch megalithic monuments, or hunebeds, literally “giants’ beds”, are the most visually arresting remains of the prehistoric past of the Netherlands today. These ancient tombs also inspired the very first archaeological research and theories about the prehistoric inhabitants of the Netherlands.

    The two books were launched together in the Hunebed Centrum, the Dutch museum devoted to the megalithic tombs found in the north of the Netherlands.

    http://www.cavelore.com/giantsmyth.htm

  3. Let’s not forget that he was also the adorable kid in “About a Boy.”

    • Siren6 says:

      Arguably, he shared leading man status on About A Boy with Hugh Grant! And killed it. And then anchored Skins beautifully.

      I think questioning his ability to headline a movie is a few years too late.

    • irishserra says:

      I agree! One of my favorite movies and I loved his role! My husband has claimed for years that he looks just like Taylor Swift’s twin. ;o)

    • L says:

      Holy moly thats the kid from About a Boy?! I knew I recognized his face from somewhere. He’s grown up nice. 😀

  4. Louise says:

    Well said Lisa! I think this looks good. Good luck to him!

  5. Mika says:

    He played the lead role that launched Skins. I think he can handle this.

  6. Turtle Dove says:

    Like all movies in this ilk, the real star of the show is the CGI.

    I don’t think that Hoult has it to be a blockbuster action star on his own, but I think that he can fill the void left by Hugh Grant nicely. Like Grant, he has that boyish awkwardness that is appealing, comical and charming.

    Edit – Ewan looks f*cking hot in that screen shot. Wow.

    • Ari says:

      He really does look hot that’s all I thought about in this article.

    • Jules says:

      I’m always happy to see Ewan in anything. sigh As someone on YouTube once commented “He is the most shaggable man alive.”

  7. Eve says:

    My favourite version of Jack the Giant is the one with Daffy Duck and Bugs Bunny.

    P.S.: just remembered the episode and now I can’t stop laughing.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRwLu0jKCQo&feature=related

  8. He’s just finished shooting Jonathan Levine’s new film, Warm Bodies. My friend was John Malkovich’s (who is also in the film) assistant for a bit. Apparently Nicholas Hoult walked up to Malkovich, all timid like, and said something like ‘excuse me, I’m working on this film too, and I just wanted to tell you what a huge fan of yours I am’. For clarification, Hoult is the star of this film. That just made me fall in love with him, I think he’s the cutest.

  9. podzol says:

    I really root for this young man’s success. He was great in About a Boy, Skins, and I was so impressed with his turn in A Single Man. Plus, he seems extremely well-mannered and humble at an age where most of his counterparts flash their boobs and biceps at the camera. What’s not to like?

  10. Reece says:

    Ewan McGregor, armor, swords, that hair (LOL), Ewan McGregor
    I don’t know much about Hoult other than kid form “About a Boy” and X-Men. I can’t really judge. This looks interesting. Not blown away but interested.
    Maybe this is a little weird but sometimes I wait for the studio titles to see which one is putting it out. WB is usually pretty good with this type of movie. (Red Riding Hood *gag*) If this was a Fox movie, nope wouldn’t be a second thought.

  11. merski says:

    Mouthbreather…. :/
    Gives him a sort of moronic look. (see: picture 1).

  12. T.C. says:

    Meh, his geeky looks do nothing for me. Next year is going to have much better blockbusters like the Dark Knight, Promethus, spiderman, avengers, The Hunger Games etc. I think this might flop.

  13. Michelle says:

    To answer the question in the title:

    After reading the article: no.
    Ater reading the comments and watching the trailer: Hell Yes!

  14. Kelly says:

    The boy is simply not attractive. He has this look on his face like he’s going “duuuuhhhhhhh” all the time. He was nice as Beast, but without those glasses it becomes awfully apparent just how derpy is face actually is. Not going to see this movie.

  15. joancrawfordhangers says:

    Sorry Bedhead, but I think Hoult’s got a long, successful career ahead of him.

    • normades says:

      I do too.

      This movie doesn’t scream “action hero” like the roles Taylor Lauter is trying to persue. This is more a fantasy/geek film.

      Even if the movie pans out I think there is plenty of good will for this kid that he can do some “indie” films afterwards and still establish himself as a major up-in-comer.

      He was great in Skins and has lots of on-screen charisma and can really ACT.

  16. Adrien says:

    Wow, he’s all grown up. I feel old. Is he leading man material? Hmmm, why not, he’s likable.

  17. Ally says:

    What is with all these fairy tale movies? Shrek is one thing; credible actors stooping to this is another. Hollywood is really scraping the barrel with this pathetic trend.

  18. normades says:

    Is he still dating Jennifer Lawerence?