Nicholas Hoult. Photo: “A Single Man”
Actor Nicholas Hoult (Skins, A Single Man) set to appear as the iconic villain Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman (which premieres this week), has consistently shown a progressive stance on LGBTQ+ representation throughout his career.
He believes in portraying characters as individuals, not just through their sexuality, and envisions a future where diverse representation is a given, rather than a point of discussion.
Here are some of his notable quotes and elaborations:
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On LGBTQ+ inclusion being a non-issue: When discussing “The Favourite,” which features a prominent queer storyline, Hoult expressed a desire for such representation to be normalized, stating, “It’s almost like we should have – I mean, it’s great that the conversation is happening and that these movies are getting made more and more, but it should be up to the point where it’s completely normal and it’s not even something that people have to keep feeling is unusual.”
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On the evolution of representation: He has observed a positive shift in the industry, noting an “increase in roles in terms of stories being told that are more inclusive.” He attributes this not necessarily to his own impact but to the changing times, recognizing that “things are changing, and it’s becoming represented better.” This reflects an awareness of the broader societal and industrial progress in showcasing diverse identities.
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On audience perception: When asked about his LGBTQ+ following, he humbly responded, “I don’t really see any audience as different, particularly, to be honest with you. I’m just telling stories that I like and then playing characters that I’m interested in. When I’m making things I’m not picking depending on the audience, but that’s really nice of you to say that I’ve got that following. That’s lovely. I guess that would go back to ‘Skins’ or ‘A Single Man,’ perhaps.” This further underscores his focus on compelling storytelling and character development over targeting specific demographics, while still appreciating the support from the LGBTQ+ community.
His comments suggest a pragmatic and progressive view, where the goal is to move beyond the “conversation” about representation and simply make it an integral part of the cinematic and theatrical landscape.
