As part of Jaeger-LeCoultre’s The Hour Before campaign, the English actor speaks about his early stardom, alienation, and the preparation that is central to his creative process
Fancy the world watching while you’re still growing up? Much has been made about the spotlight and pressures that follow child actors who find their way to stardom early on. Nicholas Hoult, however, has seemingly managed that path with remarkable maturity and perceptiveness.
After making his name at 11 years old in the 2002 film About a Boy, Hoult has gone on to appear in more than 40 films including Nosferatu, The Menu, and the X-Men franchise. Cinephiles and Superman fans, of course, will know him in his recent role as the villainous Lex Luthor, which has garnered plaudits for his menacing and intense portrayal.
Celebrated for his on-screen charisma and elegant personal style, the English actor has also become a natural fit for Jaeger-LeCoultre, leading its The Hour Before campaign. In his role as global brand ambassador—frequently sporting a Reverso Tribute Steel Monoface—he discusses his career and pre-performance rituals, appearing poised to showcase both his striking presence and exceptional timepieces on the big screen.
Many of your performances explore themes like transformation, identity, and alienation. Is there a personal experience that informed your understanding of these themes?
I had a wonderful experience as a child actor because I went to a normal school and had normal friends and a normal, well-balanced life. But at the same time, it was bizarre to live in an adult world and have a job at a young age. I kept them quite separate in my brain to try to handle that.
When did you realise that acting would become something bigger in your life than you had imagined?
I remember watching my brother play Merlin when he was 17 or 18 in a school production. Something in my mind clicked, like, ‘Oh, you can become and pretend to be anything’, and that was exciting for me.
You’ve had several transformative roles throughout your career. Is there one that stands out as a turning point for you?
A big turning point for me was being part of Skins. I was 16 or 17 and it was the first time I had played in a more adult role. It also led to me being cast in Tom Ford’s A Single Man, which kick-started the ‘young adult’ phase of my career. The Skins character was unlike anything I’d done before.
It was the beginning of me taking risks in terms of playing characters whom I didn’t at first feel connected to or imagine myself playing.
You really stood out as Lex Luthor in Superman. How do you feel about the way audiences have responded?
I’m so glad that people responded well to the character. James Gunn wrote a brilliant script and I loved working with him as a director. I think the outstanding elements of that character are his obsession and extreme hatred, but also his ideology that allows you to understand how jealousy has corrupted his brain. I’m very proud of the movie.
When stepping into an iconic role like Lex, how do you mentally and creatively prepare yourself for those high-stakes moments?
I’m always preparing for high-stakes moments. I equate it to being like an athlete who trains and practises for the 100m finals race. Doing a key scene is like my finals race.
When it comes to accessories like watches, what inspires your choices?
I think of them as extensions of character and identity. When you choose a watch, it expresses your personality and what you appreciate and care about. On top of that, there’s the element of finding a watch that complements the outfit you’re wearing or the event you’re going to. But for me, they’re more than an accessory. They’re part of me and my story and my family’s story.
What excites you most about your collaboration with Jaeger-LeCoultre?
I feel inspired whenever I spend time with Jaeger-LeCoultre or wear one of their timepieces. It’s exciting to work with people who inspire me, not only by the beauty of what they create but also by their dedication to the craft and what it means to them.
What does The Hour Before mean to you?
For me, it’s stillness. It’s about mentally running over the things that I’ve been thinking about and rehearsing those a few more times. It’s about calming my brain and myself so that I don’t feel overwhelmed by the moment.
