"Nicholas Hoult"

Summary

SmartLess Podcast Episode: "Nicholas Hoult" Release Date: July 7, 2025

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Introduction In this engaging episode of SmartLess, hosts Jason Bateman, Sean Hayes, and Will Arnett welcome actor Nicholas Hoult to discuss his illustrious career, the intricacies of preparing for diverse roles, and balancing personal life with the demands of the entertainment industry. The conversation is marked by the hosts' trademark humor and candid dialogue, providing listeners with a comprehensive look into Hoult's professional journey and personal insights.

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Early Career and Breakthrough Nicholas Hoult reminisces about his early start in acting, highlighting his breakout role in the film About a Boy at the tender age of eleven.

Sean Hayes (Timestamp [31:00]): "How did you become you? You're so good at what you do. How did that all start?"

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [27:36]): "I was lucky. My older brother really loved acting and my older sister did a lot of singing and dancing. Being the third sibling, I ended up getting dragged into dance classes and theater shows. It was kind of a family hobby that eventually led me to get an agent and pursue acting professionally."

Hoult discusses the challenges of transitioning from a child actor to an adult, noting the self-consciousness that comes with early fame but emphasizes that most experiences were positive and fleeting.

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Preparing for Roles The conversation delves into Hoult's method for preparing for demanding roles, particularly focusing on his portrayal of Lex Luthor in the latest Superman installment.

Will Arnett (Timestamp [46:45]): "How do you like doing the American accent? Is it easy for you?"

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [47:25]): "I worked with an opera coach to refine my American accent. It's not easy, especially when trying to place the voice differently to fit the character. During filming in the Arctic Circle, it was especially challenging without a hat, but it added authenticity to the role."

Hoult shares his experience of shaving his head for the role, describing the physical and emotional adjustments required. He recounts the intensity of filming in harsh environments, such as the Namibian Desert for Mad Max, where coordinating numerous engines created an immersive yet overwhelming atmosphere.

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [41:11]): "Being on set in the desert with all those engines roaring was surreal. It's an experience that doesn't get easier, but it's incredibly rewarding."

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Balancing Personal Life and Work The hosts and Hoult discuss the delicate balance between a demanding acting career and personal responsibilities, including family life.

Will Arnett (Timestamp [19:02]): "You’ve got two boys, how old?"

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [19:15]): "Seven and two. It's chaos, but incredibly rewarding. Recently, I tore my ACL while playing basketball, which has been tough, but I'm focusing on rehab to get back to work."

Hoult emphasizes the importance of family support and how relocating to Long Beach helped him stay grounded amidst his hectic schedule.

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [15:30]): "Living in Long Beach brings me closer to my wife's family, and it's a great support system. Plus, the community here is wonderful."

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Choosing Roles and Career Philosophy Hoult shares his criteria for selecting roles, prioritizing meaningful projects and collaboration with top-tier directors and actors over mere box office potential.

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [38:44]): "I'm chasing fame and money, but I also want to do good work. When I look back, I want to feel proud of the projects I've been part of."

He reflects on the roles he turned down, acknowledging that while some missed opportunities were disappointing, they often led to observing others excel in those parts.

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [39:20]): "There was a role that someone else played beautifully, and I respected their portrayal. It taught me to focus on my own journey rather than dwelling on what could have been."

Hoult also discusses the challenges of promoting large-scale films and how he has adapted his mindset to embrace the promotional aspects as part of his professional duties.

Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [43:32]): "I've learned to see promotions not as a hassle but as a crucial part of the job. It's about sharing the story and connecting with the audience."

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Conclusion The episode concludes with heartfelt appreciation from the hosts for Hoult's transparency and dedication to his craft. They express excitement for his upcoming roles, particularly his portrayal of Lex Luthor in Superman, set to release on July 11th. Hoult's insights offer a nuanced perspective on the life of a modern actor, balancing artistic integrity with the commercial aspects of the film industry.

Will Arnett (Timestamp [51:57]): "We're all looking forward to seeing Superman. Make sure to catch it on July 11th!"

Jason Bateman (Timestamp [51:57]): "Nicholas Holt is back and better than ever. He's got a lot of exciting projects ahead, and we can't wait to see them."

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Notable Quotes

• Sean Hayes (Timestamp [31:00]): "How did you become you? You're so good at what you do. How did that all start?"

• Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [27:36]): "Being the third sibling, I ended up getting dragged into dance classes and theater shows. It was kind of a family hobby that eventually led me to get an agent and pursue acting professionally."

• Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [41:11]): "Being on set in the desert with all those engines roaring was surreal. It's an experience that doesn't get easier, but it's incredibly rewarding."

• Nicholas Hoult (Timestamp [38:44]): "I'm chasing fame and money, but I also want to do good work. When I look back, I want to feel proud of the projects I've been part of."

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Final Thoughts This episode of SmartLess offers a deep dive into Nicholas Hoult's career and personal life, enriched by the hosts' engaging and humorous banter. Listeners gain valuable insights into the dedication required to succeed in the acting world, the importance of meaningful role selection, and the necessity of balancing personal commitments with professional aspirations.

Transcript

[Jason Bateman]

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[Will Arnett]

So Hi everybody. Hey.

[Sean Hayes]

I like starting an episode with so we're mid conversation. So so anyway, welcome to Smartless Smart.

[Will Arnett]

Less.

[Sean Hayes]

Smart Smart.

[Will Arnett]

Listener. You'll have to excuse Will Arnett today. The things are a little sourly. He's early today.

[Jason Bateman]

He, he's surely surly.

[Sean Hayes]

We recorded this the day after my beloved Toronto Maple Leafs lost.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, they lost last game seven.

[Sean Hayes]

Yep.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, I'm sorry.

[Will Arnett]

It wasn't, it wasn't a great performance. Biz Biz made that very clear.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, he sure did.

[Will Arnett]

And God bless him for being honest.

[Sean Hayes]

God bless Biz. Paul Bizinette. My friends and my, you know, my co mourner as a Leafs fan. Paul Biznet world's number two Leafs fan, obviously behind me, but I am considering.

[Will Arnett]

This is hockey listener.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, we're talking NHL hockey. I'm considering free agency.

[Will Arnett]

No, no, before we started recording, you weren't considering it. You had declared that I want to.

[Sean Hayes]

Test the open market. I, I, I see how it goes now in the world.

[Will Arnett]

We'd love to have you over at the Kings.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, well, plenty of room. I'm open to. I, I would, I'd love to hear from Luke Robitaille when the time is appropriate. I'd like to see what kind of package he could put before me. Now.

[Will Arnett]

How do you think how do you think Brendan Shanahan's going to feel about all this running your mouth here, you know?

[Sean Hayes]

Well, my, my. Look, look, obviously I just do this.

[Will Arnett]

To Brendan runs a team there, up there in Shanahan.

[Sean Hayes]

Gzero smart. Former smart list guest early on. Yes. And friend of ours.

[Will Arnett]

He runs a team there in Toronto and he's having business.

[Sean Hayes]

He knows it's a business.

[Will Arnett]

What, your, your heart is a business.

[Sean Hayes]

My, my fandom. You know that. Fandom.

[Will Arnett]

You're not going to stick with them when they, when they're hurting?

[Sean Hayes]

I'm going to do what's right. I mean, look, it's nothing wrong. People test the open market. He's tested the open market before. He's been a free agent.

[Will Arnett]

Do you think he's got his, his resume out there amongst all the clubs saying, hey, I'd love to be GM over on your.

[Sean Hayes]

What do I know? That's not.

[Will Arnett]

I think they need you now more than ever.

[Sean Hayes]

That's. What do I know, I tell you.

[Jason Bateman]

What do you want to do? You want to run a team?

[Will Arnett]

Well, no, he's just looking for root for that's going to win all the time. Going to win the Stanley cup every year.

[Sean Hayes]

Never won.

[Jason Bateman]

They've never won in my lifetime with the Maple Leafs.

[Sean Hayes]

Never won in my lifetime.

[Jason Bateman]

Wow.

[Sean Hayes]

1967, that's like the Cubs to me.

[Jason Bateman]

And then when they won, I cried.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. Is that true?

[Will Arnett]

1967 was the last time that they won.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, that's right.

[Will Arnett]

Well, you were born in 58.

[Sean Hayes]

I know. So it's good stuff. It's good stuff. Anyway, what else?

[Will Arnett]

Thought you guys look handsome today.

[Sean Hayes]

What else is going on? I didn't, I, I, I didn't even come to Sunday Funday. Although I wasn't invited, as it turned out. Oh, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Now let's subject number two to get all pissed off about.

[Sean Hayes]

I don't give a. I got a list.

[Will Arnett]

Well, how do you. What? What do you mean you weren't invited? You don't know that.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I do. I do. What did you tell my inbox?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

You didn't miss much. It was just burgers and chat, you know, typical Sunday fair.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, sorry, I'm also a free agent with that. I'm free agent with friends now, too.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, really? You're looking for a new date for Sunday nights?

[Jason Bateman]

Are you drinking dishwashing soap?

[Sean Hayes]

It's water.

[Will Arnett]

You try going to mass on Sunday nights. Do they have it at. Do they have it at night on Sunday or is that Saturday night?

[Jason Bateman]

Mass.

[Will Arnett]

Mass isn't that what they call it? Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Lord's house is always open, pal.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay.

[Will Arnett]

Will, I'm really sorry I sent you a text earlier yesterday that. Speaking of Jesus, that I had spoken to hockey Jesus and that Toronto was going to be okay. I know you weren't.

[Sean Hayes]

You weren't alone. I don't blame. First of all, I'm not superstitious in that way. I was texting with Ham, with John Hamba during the game, and the ref, one of the refs, I'm not laughing at his misfortune, went down because he took a high stick and he's bleeding.

[Will Arnett]

Stick right in the eye.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. And he was bleeding all over the ice. And Ham said, is this good luck or bad luck for your team? And I said, you know, like, literally in real time as it was happening, I said, I don't know. I don't. I can't. I. I'm actually not superstitious in that way anymore because then you're just a maniac. So I don't knock wood anymore. I don't do any of that stuff. Like, who knows? So, anyway, I'm letting you up.

[Will Arnett]

Look what happened. But this is what I worry about when I. Because I knock wood all the time. I got a whole series.

[Jason Bateman]

I do, too. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

And Will, you. You said that you've stopped knocking on wood. Look what happened to your team last night years ago. Yeah, okay, well, this is the problem. You. This is why you have to keep up with superstition, so that you can get the wins when you need them.

[Sean Hayes]

No, but thinking that thinking about me watching the game a certain way or doing things a certain way and thinking that's going to affect the. The outcome is like, that's how. That's how Charles Manson thought. Do you know what I mean? Like, that's insane.

[Will Arnett]

Let's bring serial killer into it. Well, you. You need to stop watching sports.

[Sean Hayes]

Listen, I. I'm. This is.

[Will Arnett]

And stop with your hair.

[Sean Hayes]

Here's the other thing. I. Here's the other thing I want to say is that my Liverpool won the Premier League this year. So that's the good news.

[Will Arnett]

Start singing the song right now.

[Sean Hayes]

We've conquered all of Europe. We're never gonna stop. From Paris down to Turkey.

[Will Arnett]

Is that the chant that they do at the end of that?

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, no. You never walk alone.

[Will Arnett]

Fearless.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

One of my favorite, favorite songs, Sean.

[Jason Bateman]

Quiet.

[Will Arnett]

Walk alone. Alone.

[Sean Hayes]

You'll never.

[Will Arnett]

Sean, you don't know this stuff.

[Jason Bateman]

Not Never walk alone, but that's like an old, old, old song.

[Sean Hayes]

What is it? Jerry? Jerry. The Pacemakers. I think it. Listen, it's a brilliant song. It's a brilliant team. And yeah, Liverpool. I'm also, you know, because I'm. Anyway, we've spent way too talk about.

[Will Arnett]

Other things in your life.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, go. Tell me why. Because I got what?

[Sean Hayes]

Let's go.

[Will Arnett]

We'll either get a hat or turn your camera off. I can't see you continuing to fuck with your hair.

[Sean Hayes]

These headphones are driving me crazy because I'm wearing over the ear headphones today.

[Will Arnett]

Well, that's what we all do.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay, okay.

[Will Arnett]

Why is it a problem?

[Jason Bateman]

Where's your earbuds?

[Sean Hayes]

So what then? Then mute my camera.

[Will Arnett]

What? How do you do it?

[Jason Bateman]

Mute my camera? Where are your earbuds?

[Sean Hayes]

I knew I needed new friends. Where are your earbuds?

[Jason Bateman]

Hey, calm down. By the way, if there's a. If there's a wrong side of the bed, you sure woke up on it.

[Will Arnett]

Speaking of the bed, where are you, Will? Where's you gu. This nice curtain behind you and a little leather sofas. I'm in my new whisper booth.

[Sean Hayes]

I'm in new. No, no, no. I'm just in my spot here. All right.

[Jason Bateman]

Okay. Look at that.

[Will Arnett]

All right. Anything else to chat about before we get to our guest? We have a nice guest.

[Sean Hayes]

Stop picking on me. Let's stop picking.

[Will Arnett]

Sean, what about you? What are your problems today?

[Sean Hayes]

I can tell you.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, go ahead, tell me.

[Will Arnett]

I know what's going on.

[Jason Bateman]

I got to stop eating sugar.

[Will Arnett]

Listen, I had to go through a night last night with. With Sean. Really boring all of us with the big efforts he's making to get off of sugar. He's been 48 hours. He's just talking about how he's white knuckling and how tough he is as he's taking sips. Deep sips of cranberry juice on buddy. That's just red sugar.

[Sean Hayes]

Juice. Juice is sugar. You can't drink.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, but. But that. But that your body tell it.

[Sean Hayes]

Whatever.

[Will Arnett]

What is. It.

[Jason Bateman]

Processes that kind of sugar differently because it's not processed sugar.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, no shit.

[Will Arnett]

Got it.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

So that won't. Okay, no.

[Sean Hayes]

All this stuff behind you. Are those diplomas behind you?

[Will Arnett]

And then what happened when the dessert came to the table last night?

[Jason Bateman]

I had one bite and I gave the rest to Maple. Your daughter. I had one bite. I kissed it. Yeah, but that was good. That was really hard. And then I got home and I've just been shoving fruit in my mouth like crazy. Like watermelon.

[Sean Hayes]

I want to insert joke Here, but, you know.

[Jason Bateman]

Insert. Yeah, it's just shoving fruit in my mouth.

[Sean Hayes]

Did Fruit mind, or.

[Will Arnett]

Does he mind being called that?

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, my God. And Jay, you know, lamented over me not having dad jokes, so I have always prepared.

[Sean Hayes]

Now, how would you have any dad jokes?

[Jason Bateman]

What do you mean?

[Sean Hayes]

You have no dad?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, remember he sped off.

[Jason Bateman]

Well, that's a good one.

[Sean Hayes]

No, but I have this. That's a literal dad joke.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. What was the one you told me last night that we had to work on? We had to work on a little bit?

[Jason Bateman]

That wasn't very good. That wasn't very good. That was. Well, I have. I have one for you really quick. Ready?

[Will Arnett]

Okay, sure.

[Jason Bateman]

Knock, knock.

[Will Arnett]

Who's there?

[Jason Bateman]

I eat mop.

[Will Arnett]

I eat mop. Who. What happened there? Like, how'd you do that to me?

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Guys, our next guest was in one of my favorite films of the year.

[Sean Hayes]

Mm.

[Will Arnett]

He seems to have it all. He's talented, he's successful. He works with only the top people in the best projects. He's got artistic credibility and box office.

[Nicholas Holt]

Sock.

[Will Arnett]

Okay? That's what you want. You want box office Sock.

[Sean Hayes]

Sock.

[Will Arnett]

Okay. He's handsome, he's tall, he's got good hair.

[Sean Hayes]

Sure.

[Will Arnett]

Let's get him out here. Let's see if he's single. Let's see how he does it. All gang, it's Nicholas Holt. Come on out, Nicholas.

[Sean Hayes]

What a reveal.

[Jason Bateman]

Nicholas Holt.

[Will Arnett]

Nicholas Holt.

[Nicholas Holt]

It took everything in my power when you were talking about fruit. Not talking.

[Sean Hayes]

Reveal.

[Nicholas Holt]

Myself. Right there.

[Jason Bateman]

Now you know how I feel.

[Will Arnett]

Well, let's get right to it, then. So are you single?

[Nicholas Holt]

No, I'm not. I'm married. Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, you are.

[Sean Hayes]

Good for you.

[Nicholas Holt]

Good for you. Also, I don't know if my hair. I've got blonde hair now. You said good hair in the intro.

[Will Arnett]

Well, blonde can be good.

[Nicholas Holt]

Thanks. It was giving me quite a lot of anxiety sitting there. I mean, I was enjoying listening to you guys. But also I was like, this is quite stressful. The reveal thing.

[Will Arnett]

The reveal.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, wait.

[Nicholas Holt]

I mean, obviously Jason, you know. Yeah, it's me. But then I was like, what if.

[Will Arnett]

Sean and Will, like, I know, right? That you guys know each other. It must. A tiny bit. It must be stressful for the guest, right? This whole. Sort of like, you. You're thinking there. Well, when I reveal, are they going to be. Are they going to be excited? Are they going to be disappointed? Are they going to. Do I. Do they know me? Do I. Right? Is that. Is that. Is that.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

Because if I were you, Going. I'd probably be like quickly Googling like Nicholas quick.

[Will Arnett]

Right. Well, that's the whole reason that. It's the whole reason we do Surprise.

[Sean Hayes]

We don't need.

[Jason Bateman]

So that I think we. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

The other two people don't have to do any research. Right. So Will and Sean get to just sit here and be the dummies that they are.

[Jason Bateman]

No, of course. I know. I could ask you a thousand questions about Nosferatu, which you were amazing. I love that movie.

[Sean Hayes]

Not a question, that was a statement. Go over the first question. Thousand questions. Go.

[Jason Bateman]

Okay, ready? The makeup, what Was it like? Like 999 to go.

[Sean Hayes]

Go ahead.

[Will Arnett]

Wait, why is.

[Sean Hayes]

You have a thousand. Just ask a question. I'm. I'm holding everybody's feet to the fire. Nicholas, I've had a rough 24 hours.

[Nicholas Holt]

Sorry. I. I heard and I'm sorry. Yeah, you'll get through.

[Will Arnett]

Wait, why is the hair blonde? What's coming up for you? I can't. But you know, you work in only the greatest projects. I mean, your resume is really the order. When do you stop? That's the film that was one of my favorite films of the year.

[Jason Bateman]

Incredible.

[Nicholas Holt]

That's where we met because you. You were working with Jude on your show and. And you came in very nicely. A Q and A for us. So thank you for doing.

[Jason Bateman]

Same director, right?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. That was really fun. Yeah. Justin Kurzel. Yep. Incredibly well directed film. And then he directed the final two episodes of Black Rabbit. And that guy is just incredible.

[Nicholas Holt]

Did you. Did you have fun with Justin?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, I love that guy. Yeah. He's so good at what he does. Anyway, why is the hair blonde? What's coming up? What's that?

[Nicholas Holt]

This is a movie I'm about to start called. It's called how to Rob a Bank. Oh.

[Will Arnett]

With. With David Leach, who was just on the show.

[Nicholas Holt]

David's directing.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

He called me the other day and he was like, how would you feel about going. Going blonde and trying that for this? And I was like, yeah, okay. So I went into my wife's aunt's salon yesterday and bleached my hair. And here I am.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, look at that.

[Sean Hayes]

Bleached your wife's.

[Nicholas Holt]

So this is like my big reveal to you three guys. So tell me I look good.

[Jason Bateman]

Listen, Nicholas, it does look good.

[Sean Hayes]

Let's give a plug for. Because we plug hairdressers on this show a lot. So let's give a plug first.

[Will Arnett]

McMillan Salon Midori. Salon Midori.

[Sean Hayes]

Where is it? Where is it? Nicholas?

[Nicholas Holt]

Hang on. I can give you the full address.

[Will Arnett]

Get ready, listener. This gives you time to get your pen ready, listener.

[Nicholas Holt]

It's in. In Brea, California.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay.

[Nicholas Holt]

Oh, yeah. Ask for. Ask for Les Cicero.

[Sean Hayes]

Done. Just say the word smartless and receive up to. I don't know. I'm just saying.

[Jason Bateman]

Wait, Nicholas, by the way. Nick or Nicholas? Which.

[Nicholas Holt]

Nick's Goodyear.

[Jason Bateman]

Okay. So, Nick, where are you? Where are you right now?

[Nicholas Holt]

I'm in Long Beach. We live down in Long Beach.

[Jason Bateman]

And is this where you live?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, wow, that's nice. How long have you been here in the States?

[Nicholas Holt]

Coming up on like, seven years, I think, but, like, you know, kind of roaming around throughout all that time as well. But yeah, been down to Long beach for like, two now.

[Will Arnett]

How did you find. How did you find Long Beach? This is. This for listener. If you're not aware of Los Angeles, Long beach is an incredible part of the city. It's.

[Sean Hayes]

The Port of Los Angeles is in.

[Will Arnett]

Long beach, the largest port in, I think, the country. And it is not a place that you often hear people living in because.

[Jason Bateman]

It'S just in the business and the.

[Will Arnett]

Business in the business because it's just south of the city. And so I'd like to know how you found yourself there.

[Nicholas Holt]

Well, my wife's family are all from down this way. And so with me being on the road a lot, it made sense to be closer to her, have her, you know, a support system around. And I love it down here, to be honest with you. There was something about LA that always made me feel a little bit edgy.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. And it's also like, it's such an industry town, and it's nice to live a place where there's other stuff going on, I bet.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

That's. That's a big part of it. And it's, it's very walkable. There's good food, nice people. It's a, it's, it's. It's a good little spot. I like it. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

And we will be right back.

[Jason Bateman]

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[Will Arnett]

Now children, you have.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yes, we got two boys. We got two boys, how old, which is seven and two, which is chaos. We were in A and E last night with my older one getting staples in his head because he cut his head open. Oh no, he's fine, he's fine.

[Will Arnett]

Boys will take you to the emergency room, will. You can test them out.

[Sean Hayes]

I have three boys. I've been many times. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

I have two girls. Only once. Only once. Only once. Emergency room.

[Jason Bateman]

Are you serious?

[Sean Hayes]

I had my eldest who's 16 now once when he was about 11, he broke his arm. He had it in a cast. He got it off and the day he got it off, he re. Broke it.

[Will Arnett]

What?

[Jason Bateman]

No way.

[Will Arnett]

Why don't I remember that? That's Archie.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, well how would you remember, Mike? You don't even know what your. Own. Anyway, that was Archie.

[Nicholas Holt]

How did he do it? How did he do it each time?

[Sean Hayes]

Just. Each time just foolish, just running, falling, tripping. He used to have this sort of proclivity to run one direction but be looking the other direction constantly.

[Will Arnett]

Like he's super bright.

[Sean Hayes]

You'd see him running, going this way, going like. And then full. Oh, really? Yeah, yeah, yeah. Anyway, anyway, so I've been there. So it's a, it's. You got your hands full of two and seven. That's a good spread, right? That's a nice. Yeah, yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

It's a good little spread, but yeah. My poor wife. At the moment he was in a. I tore my ACL like last week.

[Jason Bateman]

No, you just last week.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

How'd you do that?

[Nicholas Holt]

Playing basketball.

[Will Arnett]

See, we're just too old to do it. Now Nick, you're considerably younger than us, but you're still too old.

[Nicholas Holt]

This was the really sad. This was what hurt more than the injury was. I was back and then I was like Google MD ing. I was like, oh no, what's happened? Blah, blah. And when I found out was a full tear of the. I looked it up and, and like the AI review of the injury was like most frequent in mid, middle aged people who play jumping sports.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh really?

[Nicholas Holt]

Like there's no need for the middle age like throwing that at me.

[Will Arnett]

Have you already gone in and done the, the, the, the repair on it?

[Nicholas Holt]

No, not yet. No, no, no. I'm kind of like rehab it at the moment. Then we'll do that once.

[Sean Hayes]

Once you finish the film. Yeah, of course.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

It's a big.

[Will Arnett]

You can Hobble around on it.

[Nicholas Holt]

I could. I can get around all right now. Yeah. But if I did the surgery, I think I couldn't for a while.

[Will Arnett]

But I hear that that's just sort of outpatient stuff nowadays. They just, like, go in there with, like, a little. Little hose camera and, like, sweep it up and get out.

[Nicholas Holt]

No, I think for this they have to. Because it's a complete. Ted. I think they, like, cut out a piece of my patella with the bone and screw that in. Oh, man. And then they drill into the side of your knee. I don't know. I don't know. It doesn't sound great.

[Will Arnett]

No, no.

[Sean Hayes]

It sounds pretty terrible, to be honest.

[Will Arnett]

So. But now you're gonna. This is. You gotta wait till after the David Leach thing that there's stunts in that. He's. He does stunt stuff. And you're. It's called how to Rob a Bank. There's gonna be activity in that. How are you gonna do that?

[Sean Hayes]

Activity?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, I'm gonna. I'm gonna figure that out. That's why I'm rehabbing at the moment. We'll see. We'll see how strong I can get beforehand.

[Will Arnett]

Now, you robbed the hell out of a bank in the order. God, everybody, you gotta see the order. That was good.

[Sean Hayes]

I did. Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

I'm on a good. I'm on a good bank robbing run.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

How does this one differ from that as far as the bank robbery stuff? Is it more involved?

[Nicholas Holt]

It's modern, but I would say it's more of a Robin Hood esque story in terms of my character, why he's gotten into this and how he's kind of revolutionizing a movement around it for good causes, essentially. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Right. Yeah. That's cool. Now, what about Nishan? I don't think you know this yet or haven't really processed it yet, but I've been. Scotty has, considering his screensaver. Oh, yeah. Nick's coming up in Superman.

[Jason Bateman]

I know.

[Will Arnett]

As Lex Luthor.

[Jason Bateman]

That's so great.

[Will Arnett]

That is released in July, correct? Is that right?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yes. July 11th. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

All right. So what was that? Was that daunting?

[Sean Hayes]

Was that.

[Will Arnett]

Can you talk about what version of Lex Luthor this is? Because he's had different occupations in the past, correct?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yes, he's. Yeah. I mean, there's so many different variations of it through the comics and the films. In terms of what he is. James Gunn likes to describe him almost as a.

[Will Arnett]

That's the director. Yes.

[Nicholas Holt]

Almost. Yes. Almost as a sorcerer in this. The level of science he's working on. But, you know, he's a. Yeah. Tech billionaire. Defense. And we start this Superman story like in an already developed Metropolis. Kind of, you're thrown into a world and universe that's already fully imagined and all these, you know, characters that have been around for a minute and you kind of catch up with where you're at.

[Sean Hayes]

It's the appropriate thing nowadays. Right. To make the villain a tech billionaire. But that kind of lines up. It's not a straight. You don't go like what? You go. Yeah, yeah, yeah, that's right, that's right.

[Will Arnett]

That's not believable.

[Nicholas Holt]

It certainly seems very, very apt.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Did you have a villain look in that? What did you.

[Sean Hayes]

Isn't he traditionally. Wasn't he. He's traditionally been bald headed, Right? Is that right?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. No, I shaved my head off.

[Jason Bateman]

You did?

[Nicholas Holt]

Shaved my head off. Shaved my hair off. Yeah, just the whole head.

[Jason Bateman]

So you went.

[Will Arnett]

You really went for it. Shaved it completely clean?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yes.

[Will Arnett]

And then what was the grow back process on that? Because I hear some people worry about that. That their hair is never going to come back.

[Nicholas Holt]

It. It came back. Maybe, maybe not as full and luscious and wonderful. I don't know.

[Jason Bateman]

Wait, did you have to shave it? I had to shave my head for a movie. Movie called the Three Stooges. Very similar.

[Sean Hayes]

That was a picture. They're so great.

[Will Arnett]

Sorry, it's an inside thingy. That's not funny.

[Jason Bateman]

I had to shave it.

[Sean Hayes]

I told you. Some kind of bananas.

[Will Arnett]

It's the room.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay.

[Jason Bateman]

It is.

[Sean Hayes]

That's a good reverb in that room.

[Jason Bateman]

Wait, Nick, did you have to. I had to shave it twice a day because it would start. Right. The stubble would start showing.

[Nicholas Holt]

Did you have to shave it? You've got a lot of growth. Yeah, yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

I mean, did you have to shave it twice a day?

[Nicholas Holt]

No, no, it was once. It was once a day. But then they'd kind of spray paint over the top of it.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, I see. I see. It was better than a bald cap and doing all that, right?

[Nicholas Holt]

And yeah, yeah. I haven't really done the bullcap thing too much, but I. I feel like it's like wearing a swimming cap throughout the day and it gets all hot.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah. And where did you film. Film it? Because it.

[Will Arnett]

What part of the planet? Sean?

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

You want to do a tour of their locations? What are you doing?

[Jason Bateman]

No, because I want to know if it was hot or not. Because it was when you.

[Will Arnett]

Great question. Now I understand. Because of the shaved head, you Want to know if it was?

[Jason Bateman]

Well, because my thing is when I shaved my head. When I shaved my head every single day, it was in Atlanta, it was so hot that when I went into my hotel to sleep, I cranked up the AC and I had to wear a ski hat. Ski cap on my head because the AC was so cold on my bald head.

[Sean Hayes]

Anyway, this guy doesn't know whether he's coming or going.

[Will Arnett]

You didn't want to just turn down the ac? Ding dong.

[Jason Bateman]

No, no, no, no.

[Will Arnett]

Got it. But anyway.

[Sean Hayes]

Anyway, you want to know if he had a similar experience.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

To your lunacy that you were going through.

[Nicholas Holt]

I can relate. It wasn't self induced. We shot a little bit of the film in. In Svalbard.

[Will Arnett]

Where's that?

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, it's kind of near the Arctic Circle. In the Arctic Circle. A Norwegian island up there. And so, so that was very cold and my head was.

[Will Arnett]

You know.

[Jason Bateman]

That's what I'm saying.

[Nicholas Holt]

And it would get chilly.

[Jason Bateman]

That's what I'm saying.

[Sean Hayes]

No, no, no, no, it's not what you're saying. He was wearing a hat because it was cold.

[Will Arnett]

He was in the Arctic Circle Omni.

[Sean Hayes]

Not in the hottest city.

[Nicholas Holt]

I refused the hat. There was a hat as part of the costume, but I said no to the hat because saying hi to the.

[Sean Hayes]

Hawks players as they were coming back from the road trip.

[Will Arnett]

Great win, fellas. Anyone call old. Sorry, Dick.

[Sean Hayes]

Sorry, Nick.

[Will Arnett]

We slappy today.

[Sean Hayes]

We are very.

[Jason Bateman]

Now.

[Will Arnett]

Let's go. Let's go all the way back.

[Sean Hayes]

I was going to say the same lesson all the way. Go out.

[Will Arnett]

Will, Would you like to start it about a boy, Will? Is that where your question.

[Sean Hayes]

I just want to know how it all started, Nick. How did you become you. You're so good at what you do. How did that all. What was the beginning of your journey? What was the day that you woke up and went, today I want to be an actor.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, there's. Well, I was lucky. My. My. My mom and dad weren't involved in the business, but my older brother. Sister. My older brother really loved acting and my older sister did a lot of singing and dancing and was very talented with that as well. So it kind of. Now they hate you and now they detest me. No, they. So they. That was their hobby and passion and it kind of, you know, being the third sibling, I kind of just ended up being like, all right, you end up in dance classes or in like theater shows and whatever. You kind of just get dragged. So it was kind of like the. You Know the family hobby in some ways that then through them being skilled, managed to, like, get. Get lucky and get an agent and then kind of. Yeah, keep doing it.

[Will Arnett]

And so are they still doing it?

[Nicholas Holt]

Not at the moment, no. My little sister still works in film. She works as an ad, but my brother's a forensic chemist, and my older sister teaches dancing and stuff.

[Sean Hayes]

So.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, so that's.

[Will Arnett]

Wait, your youngest is an AD Assistant trainer. That's awesome. That's the hardest job on the set. First ad, that and first ac, I think.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah. The base running can be very difficult because you have to tell people to get out of their trailers a lot.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, exactly. And some people don't want to invite Sean.

[Sean Hayes]

Do you want to explain the AD department to Tracy, or is that too long?

[Jason Bateman]

I don't. That. It's. It's the assistant director, Right.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

First.

[Will Arnett]

Hang on. You want to start with clarifying what the acronym is?

[Jason Bateman]

No, but I meant, like, it's like you said.

[Will Arnett]

You're not sure.

[Jason Bateman]

I don't know what AC is.

[Will Arnett]

Assistant Camera.

[Sean Hayes]

Camera. No. But the. The assistant first assistant director in their job. And then the people who were for then the second and the second. Second. Those people are the people who, in.

[Jason Bateman]

Effect, run the whole thing.

[Sean Hayes]

The skeleton of the IT Were. They keep the trains running on time. They do all the things. Their jobs are so immense.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah. They don't. They don't stop.

[Sean Hayes]

Couldn't be more. Couldn't be more important.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

All right, great.

[Sean Hayes]

So about a word from our sponsor. Do you think.

[Will Arnett]

We just want to leave a little break for the commercial? Now, was. Was About a Boy the first project that you did, or was it the first thing that really kind of like, launched you into, like, broke through.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Public viewing.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, that was a. That was. That was a kind of a breakthrough, I guess. I'd been in a few things before in England, but. Yeah, that was the one that was like.

[Will Arnett]

And you were 11.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, we're different. Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

What was your first professional job?

[Nicholas Holt]

First professional job, I think I did a play when I was like, three or four, and then I did a film called Intimate Relations when I was five.

[Will Arnett]

Explain that one.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I mean.

[Nicholas Holt]

You know what? I remember the audition for that because it was very easy. I thought they were like, I will sit under this table and pretend to eat cake.

[Jason Bateman]

I can do that.

[Nicholas Holt]

I can do that.

[Sean Hayes]

Sure.

[Will Arnett]

Good.

[Nicholas Holt]

All right. All right, Sean.

[Sean Hayes]

That's how Sean does it now, because he doesn't want anybody to know he's eating sugar. So he goes, yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

And I'm not even auditioning now.

[Will Arnett]

What did that. So you're 11 and this thing happens and I imagine it was a fun experience and then it comes out and it's kind of a big hit. And what was the adjustment from being just a kid to like, did your friends start to treat like, say, what's. Yeah. What's going on with you? And.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah. Because that about a boy was so huge.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

Well, let's get into a bit of a therapy session here now.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. Lay down if you need to.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah. I suppose that was a bit weird because I was like, I don't know, fairly recognizable for a little bit through it.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

But luckily it's also like one of those things where also like, you know, it's like kids don't care. They care and then they don't care and everything, like passes so quickly that it's like one of those things where.

[Jason Bateman]

It'S like, yeah, whatever.

[Nicholas Holt]

You just get on with life.

[Will Arnett]

You're starting to get a bunch of attention at school and some of the boys might not like that. Right. Jealous.

[Nicholas Holt]

You know what? Most people were pretty nice. Most people were pretty nice.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, it was, it was kind of.

[Will Arnett]

I'm projecting.

[Nicholas Holt]

But there's. But it makes you self conscious of yourself, I suppose, more than anything else.

[Sean Hayes]

You're like, of course.

[Jason Bateman]

Right, right.

[Sean Hayes]

I can imagine at that age. Yeah. Feeling like. Feeling like. Because some people are mentioning it and some people are looking at you and then you feel like, is everybody looking at. And it would make you very self conscious. And if you're young, in those adolescent years, which are tough enough as it is, it must be quite tricky, really.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah. You become like, I suppose. Yeah. Even more of a version of like.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

Just being like self aware in a horrible way which you probably don't want.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Were you like, this was like a fun, a fun hobby, a good, good reason to mix to miss class and. Or were you thinking, great, I've got a nice jump start on my career. Like, did you decide this is what I'm gonna do the rest of my life at that point?

[Nicholas Holt]

No. Because everyone talks about how child act, fall apart and fail and how it doesn't work out for them. So, like, you're aware of that conversation. So you're kind of like, oh, you know, there's a good chance keeping your options. So I would say I was in the back of my mind, I was like, oh, I like this. I'd like to carry on doing this. But also was kind of reserved about it a little bit where I was like, there's a good chance it doesn't work out. So don't.

[Will Arnett]

Like, right?

[Sean Hayes]

Or Jason. Jason. You're not unfamiliar with the sensation.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. So did you like me when it came time to, like, finish high school? And now it's like, the decision about going on and going into college and actually studying up on it, on an industry or an occupation, what was that decision? Like, you had some momentum going at that moment. Did you make a decision, like, screw it, I'm all in at that moment?

[Nicholas Holt]

I was lucky. I did a TV show in England called Skins, and we did the first series and then found out that the second series was gonna happen. And that was one of those things where it was around the time I started my A levels, which is when you're 17, 18 in school. And I realized I was kind of, like, half focusing on. On school and half focusing on work, and I wasn't really fully into either. So I was like, you know what? I'm just gonna commit and then give the acting a try and see how it goes, and if I need, I can come back to school.

[Will Arnett]

And you thought maybe I'd give it three, four years, something like that? Because, like, that's like. It's a. It's a real roll of the dice. Right. Because you'd have to go back into college and. Yeah, it's stressful.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah. And there wasn't anything that I was particularly good at either.

[Will Arnett]

What do you think you would have done if you had to do something different?

[Nicholas Holt]

I really have no idea. Because I'm not good at anything.

[Sean Hayes]

That's what I always. I say the same thing. I'm not joking. I always say I'm not good at anything.

[Will Arnett]

What would you have liked to have done if. If you couldn't have acted?

[Nicholas Holt]

Oh, just be a race car driver for real. Rockstar or F1 or a writer or something. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I enjoy watching F1. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

But I don't know. I didn't. I didn't really have a backup. But I think the one thing that, like, I like the eclectic mix that acting allows you to, like, do. Kind of be a jack of all trades.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

I don't think. I don't think I excel at anything particularly, but I can kind of dibble, dabble a little bit in lots of.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, you get to do. You get to do everything, you know, which you certainly have done. I mean, the variants and projects that you do and filmmakers that you work with. I mean, it's.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah. A lot of people chase fame and other people Chase the work. And I think and I feel it.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, no, no, just say it again because I got a blank T shirt I was looking to fill.

[Will Arnett]

And.

[Jason Bateman]

Nick, you always seem like you chase the work and you're not interested in any of the flashbacks.

[Sean Hayes]

Sean, what would you have done if you hadn't done this?

[Jason Bateman]

I, I, I, I. What? This podcast? No, I'm with you guys. I don't know how to do anything else. I mean, I can.

[Will Arnett]

Were you drawn to anything at, like, a college? College?

[Jason Bateman]

I mean, I thought I was going to be a conductor and I thought I was going to compose film scores.

[Will Arnett]

That's right.

[Sean Hayes]

Jb, what about you? What, what would you. So sorry. What would you do if you could? The same thing you asked, Nick.

[Will Arnett]

What would you do if you could? I wanted to, I, I wanted to be an architect. I wanted to, like, design residential homes.

[Sean Hayes]

Okay. Wow.

[Jason Bateman]

You have to draw really well, and.

[Will Arnett]

I can't really draw. Really. I just like, I like architecture.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, I do too.

[Will Arnett]

I would have, I would have gone into that. Would have had to have a, A partner that knew the math, but anything.

[Jason Bateman]

But any answer that you play out like architect or whatever, then you go, God, I have to go to school and then I have to learn. Like, it's so. There's so much, much work involved where acting, it feels, it's just like you're playing like, like you're lucky enough.

[Will Arnett]

Trade off with that. Is that you've got no, you've got no guarantee of employment.

[Jason Bateman]

I know.

[Sean Hayes]

That's, you know, I would have been, I would have been a bartender at a Club Med.

[Will Arnett]

Just asking for beads.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, just. It just, it just flip flops all.

[Will Arnett]

The time and just fighting. Cigarettes, whatever.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, whatevs. Just ride it out. Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

We'll be right back.

[Jason Bateman]

Guys. I'm from Chicago, and that's Chicago, Illinois. Illinois is the middle of everything for a reason. There's something for everyone making it the perfect summer destination. Whether you're a foodie, theater lover, history buff, outdoor enthusiast, or all of the above, you name it, Illinois's got it. One day you're eating deep dish pizza by Lake Michigan, the next you're ziplining through the Shawnee National Forest or shopping along a quaint main street, Chicago has been named the best big city in the US for eight consecutive years by Conde Nast Traveler readers. From vibrant nightlife to artisanal flair, each of its 77 unique neighborhoods offer something different. And it's home to so many summer festivals and concerts like the Chicago Jazz and Blues Fests Lollapalooza and Taste of Chicago. And as if Chicago isn't enough, there's so much more outside the big city. If you're into the outdoors, you can explore One of Illinois's 64 state parks, Glide through trees and take in Mississippi river views on an alpine coaster and Grafton. Or inspire your minds and soul at the tranquil Anderson Japanese Gardens. Plan your summer [e-mail].

[Sean Hayes]

Have you met All Modern? All Modern has the best of modern furniture and decor all in one place. Outdoor dining and patio sets, living room sofas, dining room furniture, and more. Their team of modern obsessed experts hand vets every design for quality. And did we mention they offer fast and free shipping? Yep. That means you can upgrade your home in days, not weeks. Allmodern has the best modern furniture and decor all in one place. Outdoor dining, patio sets, living room sofas, dining room furniture again and more. It's modern, made for real life. So. So whether you're updating your living room with a plush rug and sofa, revamping your patio with a clean lined seating set, or streamlining your dining area with a durable new table and chairs, Allmodern has everything you need to bring your vision to life. From Scandi to mid century, that's modern made simple. Shop [e-mail].

[Jason Bateman]

You know that point in the afternoon where you just hit a wall? Take a real break with pure leaf iced tea. Real brewed tea, available in a variety of delicious flavors with just the right amount of naturally occurring caffeine. And you know what? It leaves you refreshed and revitalized. So you're ready to take on what's next.

[Nicholas Holt]

Next.

[Jason Bateman]

Next time you need to hit the reset button. Grab a pure leaf iced tea. Time for a tea break. Time for a pure leaf and back to the show.

[Will Arnett]

But seriously, Nick, how do you, how, how are you picking your jobs? It seems like you're, you're looking at kind of who's in it, who's directing it, kind of what's the quality of it as opposed to what's the star making potential of it.

[Sean Hayes]

It?

[Nicholas Holt]

No, no, no. I'm chasing fame and money.

[Will Arnett]

No, you're not.

[Nicholas Holt]

Like a rabid animal. But I just can't achieve it.

[Will Arnett]

I'll bet you get a bunch of that low hanging fruit pass right underneath your nose. And you've been very disciplined.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, I, I try to be. It's one of those where, yeah, I feel like I, you know, I just want to do good work and, and, and, and have like When I'm sitting in my rocking chair in 50 years time looking back, I can be like, oh, yeah, you, like, you tried to really create special things.

[Sean Hayes]

Each time you went, are there any roles. And without naming names, are there any roles that you turned down that you went, like, I wish I had done it.

[Will Arnett]

You know what?

[Nicholas Holt]

I think for the first time there was maybe one where the person got nominated for an Oscar.

[Will Arnett]

I was like, oh, really? Now, did they play the part the way that you would have?

[Nicholas Holt]

Oh, much better, much better. That's always the thing. Whenever there's a role that you don't get or someone else does or whatever, there's always a thing where you watch it and you're like, oh, you're like, oh, yeah, no, I see.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

Different.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

It's very classy that you're not mentioning what that is too. I think some actors that they, they mention and then the only. The person that feels like shit is the person who actually did the part.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Because it's like, oh, so I was second. Right, right, right.

[Nicholas Holt]

But there's always that, you know, whenever, like, there's always a list that goes through, like the turnover of project. I'm sure you guys see all the time when it's like, oh, this script's been around for a minute. It was this person from Wild and it's this person.

[Will Arnett]

It's kind of like, I'm just finishing up one of those. Pedro Pascal was set to do the Baron plane. Anyway, what about. I know, right?

[Sean Hayes]

No, I'm sorry. I'm just imagining him in the. It would have been good.

[Will Arnett]

Now, what about what? Doing X Men again. Scotty just. Just grabbed the ceiling. That was.

[Jason Bateman]

He loves that.

[Will Arnett]

I would. So doing. Doing X Men or like Mad Max or Superman, like you are sneaking in some big commercial films as well. Those, those that work process on that is. It's. You're only doing like a half a page a day and it's. It's Right. The apparatus is just huge. Do you like doing that or do you prefer doing the smaller films where you're really chugging along and you got to do a bunch of pages a day? And it's a lot of. It's more acting than it is sort of stunts and effects and things like that.

[Nicholas Holt]

That it's different. I really enjoy the stunt process of those things, but for those bigger ones like that, it's more of like an experience.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

Like, I can clearly remember, like some of the days on Mad Max where we'd be in the Namibian Desert and you know, the. They'd give the signal for everyone to start up their engines and you'd hear all these V8s and V12s and all these engines, like, start up around you. And then you couldn't hear anything else apart from the thunder of that. Taken off across the desert and you're like, wow. In terms of life experiences, that doesn't get.

[Sean Hayes]

Get.

[Jason Bateman]

That's cool. That's really cool.

[Nicholas Holt]

Any more exciting than that. The hairs on my arms would stand up each time. But then. But then also. Yeah, it's fun to then go and do it.

[Will Arnett]

And I'm immediately thinking about all the dust and the. How far base camp is from set.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Like, you know, what kind is it?

[Sean Hayes]

Is it. Keep your eye on the umbrella.

[Will Arnett]

Umbrella near my chair. Because it's probably just really hard.

[Jason Bateman]

It is, though. But to Jason's question, the comfort level of doing like an indie, like a super small budget compared to when you're used to doing bigger films like that, you have to adjust your expectations about how the day is going to go in terms of comfort. Right.

[Will Arnett]

It's not cushy on the movies, right?

[Jason Bateman]

It's not. Yeah, it's. It's bad. It's bad on the Indies.

[Sean Hayes]

Boy. Lots not a question in there.

[Jason Bateman]

No.

[Sean Hayes]

2. Two hosts and not one question.

[Will Arnett]

Now, how do you. How do you like the whole. How do you like the whole press part of it, like doing crap like this and like. Because when you do those bigger films and Superman certainly.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, I was just. Yeah, I was just thinking about you saying July 11, you know, the date, obviously, and something you worked on, but it's like, this is the lead. I mean, you've. You've got a. You've got a long road ahead of you. Not to make it too daunting. I'm sorry.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

But you know that those films.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah. So listener.

[Nicholas Holt]

So.

[Will Arnett]

So they. You do these big films, they make you fly around. Not make you not sound like we're complaining, but you do. It is very robust. The whole thing. All the chat and giggle stuff you got to do.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

How do you like doing that?

[Nicholas Holt]

You know what? I've tried to flip my thinking on it in like the last year and a bit or something. So where I was like, ah, I used to kind of not dread it. There was part of me that was like, oh, it's quite fun. But I guess that slight introvert part of me was like, I don't know about. You know. And then I realized I've got to play. I'VE got to, like, perform and play the game better of what it is. Yeah, yeah. And then you are ultimately a sale.

[Sean Hayes]

And I think somebody said to me a long time, they don't pay you to do the movie. They pay you to promote it.

[Will Arnett]

Right, right, right.

[Sean Hayes]

And so when you look at it that way, you go, like, okay, this is the big. This is a big part of the job right now.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah. So I've got to be a bad salesman.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Right. Well, but you. But as you said it. And I've been accused of this as well, and I think they're right. Of being an introvert. I don't. I'm. This is not comfortable for me. I don't want to say that.

[Sean Hayes]

You're not an introvert. You're boring. Like, you know what I mean? Like, I think. And I think there's a distinction there. Do you know what I mean?

[Nicholas Holt]

My fear is, I'm like, I'm boring. I just want to stay at home. I want to go and do my acting. I hope people like it. And then, like, that's kind of it.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, but it is effortful. It is effortful.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, I. But, yeah, there's a. There's a certain ham gene, a healthy ham gene that I don't.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, you feel like you're bragging is part of the problem, right?

[Will Arnett]

That and. Or also just, like, demanding attention, even. Just. And I've talked about it before making a toast. I just cringe myself out standing up and. And demanding attention.

[Sean Hayes]

Well, you know, I was thinking about you in the flipping and doing the toast and stuff, and we had our friend's birthday recently, a month ago, and you guys went. And I kind of go. Because of work. And I was thinking about the toast, and I remember I wrote that toast for. I still wrote it to have. And Bradley delivered it while it was hilarious, even though I didn't go, wait.

[Will Arnett]

We haven't even talked about that. Right.

[Sean Hayes]

In the toast that made Bradley go. He does this whole thing. It was for Robert's birthday, for Downey. And then I said. And Jason Bateman. I said, jason, would you please stand up? So Bradley's reading, and he says, jason, would you please stand up? Jason stands up. And then he rarely reads. Look at this. Look at this monkey. I can make him do anything I want. I'm not even here. Anyway.

[Will Arnett]

The room died.

[Sean Hayes]

It was very. But here's the flip, jb, which is. And it kind of goes along the lines of, you're being paid to do it. Is making a toast is. It's not about you. Think about it. It's for the other person. So you're making it about you and it shouldn't be. You're doing it. So I don't necessarily want to go and do it. And I don't want to make a speech at somebody's birthday, even though it seems like I do. I want the attention. You're doing it for that person because they want it. And if you look at it through that lens, it's much easier.

[Will Arnett]

That's a good point.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

There was like a really interesting thing I was reading the other way and I'm butchering it completely. But what you said there was like. Being introverted is like a self centered thing in many ways. And when you're kind of bold in an interaction, instantly it puts the other person at ease.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

And I've got friends who I see do it all the time when they'll. They'll meet someone for the first time and they'll instantly like, break the ice so brilliantly and do these things we all like. Oh, wow. You can just see how.

[Jason Bateman]

Well, because. Because it's the work for I. Somebody told me a long time ago, you're not allowed to be shy after nine years old because that just means you just don't want to do the work.

[Sean Hayes]

And I will say this. I'm not saying that, jb that you're not a kind or. Or. Or. And. And I don't think that you're self centered. I think that it's much more. You look at a guy like Kimmel. Kimmel goes out of his way and he does stuff and he hosts stuff and he get. And he gives toast and he does it. I mean, endless work. Endlessly. And he does it because he's very open hearted about it. And he understands that it's important to the other person to do it.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, Y. Yeah, I think about it that way. I would. I would do it much more. Yeah, you're right. That feels good. Thank God. 56.

[Sean Hayes]

That's why I've got your eulogy written right here.

[Will Arnett]

It's ready.

[Sean Hayes]

I just finished it today. Well, I talked to you.

[Jason Bateman]

Ready to go.

[Sean Hayes]

I side zoom after this. Is that cool.

[Jason Bateman]

Just to go over it?

[Will Arnett]

All right. I'd like to go back to Lex Luthor because this is a major movie.

[Sean Hayes]

That's. I know, I know. I love Superman.

[Jason Bateman]

Did you have a. Did you have a voice for him? Or is it your regular voice? Or did you.

[Nicholas Holt]

I'm doing an American accent. I did. I did a voice. Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

Okay, good.

[Sean Hayes]

I love that.

[Nicholas Holt]

I worked with an opera coach a little bit on.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, really?

[Nicholas Holt]

Which sounds like then the voice is gonna be so different. But I was just trying to place the voice differently to where my voice is.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, yeah, I get it. That's cool. I love it.

[Sean Hayes]

Like sort of like the top of your head type thing or something like that.

[Nicholas Holt]

You mean trying to get it more from my stomach, I suppose. Because sometimes, particularly when you're then doing an actual. It's like it becomes. Because you're trying to change everything in your mouth and throat in terms of how you're saying the sounds.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Nicholas Holt]

It can become placed there a little bit differently and stuff.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, wow.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

How do you like doing the. The American accent? Is it easy to you?

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, I was gonna just ask that.

[Nicholas Holt]

I wouldn't say it's easy because then when I do a bad one, everyone will be like, not that easy.

[Will Arnett]

Is it comfortable? How about that?

[Nicholas Holt]

It gets comfortable. Is the, Is the. That's the aim. Whenever you like. I'm just starting to work on this new accent for this new thing, and it's kind of. It's an American accent, but it's different to what I've done before. So then instantly it becomes like, at the moment it still sounds alien in my head. You know, it's like. And then. And then hopefully with enough repetition, by the time we get to shooting, it'll feel like something that I can be.

[Sean Hayes]

Like, all right, now, are you just working on. Are you just working on the. On the material that you've got to work on for the film? Are you trying to inhabit it sort of in the day to day when you're doing the dishes, et cetera, or playing with the kids, trying to get that. Those American cadences, et cetera, etcetera. Oh.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, nice work, Will.

[Sean Hayes]

Did I froze him out?

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, you just absolutely froze him out.

[Nicholas Holt]

Let's take a quick little look see here. Can you guys hear me?

[Sean Hayes]

Yes.

[Jason Bateman]

Now we can. Yes.

[Nicholas Holt]

Sorry. I don't know what happened.

[Sean Hayes]

Here he comes. Nvidia.

[Will Arnett]

Hold on.

[Nicholas Holt]

I'm sweating now.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah, here we go.

[Sean Hayes]

This is going to be. Nick. This is going to be. This is going to be seamless. My question was, do you. Do you do the accent old day.

[Jason Bateman]

Like around kids, or do you just.

[Sean Hayes]

Do it for the material that you're working on, or do you try to do it incorporate into your day to day and like when you're doing the dishes and playing with the kids, etc.

[Nicholas Holt]

I. I don't do it at home. I'd like, but I'll do it. Depend. Depends. It depends on how long I'm doing the character and stuff. But, yeah, I would normally perhaps stay in it throughout the day. Film. I, like, in the morning, warm up and, like, get into it and then try and stay in it. And then, like, at the end of the day, I'll go home and I want to talk.

[Sean Hayes]

Can it.

[Jason Bateman]

Do you ever do it around your kids? And your kids are like, dad, what do you. I don't understand you.

[Nicholas Holt]

Occasionally I'll be like. Because I sometimes record.

[Will Arnett]

Hey, Will, have you played golf since you've been done with the movie?

[Sean Hayes]

I went to the range yesterday. Boy, I figured something out.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, did you?

[Nicholas Holt]

And we have Nick with us here. Check, check.

[Sean Hayes]

Here we go. He's back.

[Will Arnett]

Nick Colt.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yes.

[Sean Hayes]

There he is.

[Will Arnett]

Nick, do you play the golf? Do you play golf?

[Nicholas Holt]

I do play. I do play the golf.

[Will Arnett]

Not very well, because we were talking about golf during the intermission there. So you're. No, you're.

[Nicholas Holt]

Do you all play?

[Will Arnett]

We do. Sean does not. Sean can drive the hell out of the car.

[Sean Hayes]

Jason and I play. Yeah, Sean did come to a golf tournament with us once, but he did not play.

[Will Arnett]

You're not. Good. Because you don't play that much because you're working all the time. Yes.

[Nicholas Holt]

Yeah, I. I'm not consistent enough. Like, when I'm on one. It's.

[Sean Hayes]

It's.

[Will Arnett]

All right. Looks like we lost them again.

[Sean Hayes]

Please stand by. By the way, you know there are certain names, right, that have a cachet, that have a thing.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah.

[Sean Hayes]

Nick Holt. Nicholas Holt. Sounds like a star name. That's a star name.

[Jason Bateman]

Sure it is.

[Sean Hayes]

You know what I mean?

[Will Arnett]

You know, let me. Let me. Can I. Can I run one by you that I don't think is. It's just. It's impossible to say my name. Will Arnett.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Is just something that's just. It's sort of like, oh, well, that's fine. That's fine. You know Sean Hayes?

[Jason Bateman]

No, it's kind of boring.

[Will Arnett]

Oh, it's kind of foggy. I can't really see through it. You know, it's easy.

[Jason Bateman]

It's. You can't make anything out.

[Sean Hayes]

Sean Hayes. Sean Hayes sounds like your sister's friend, you know, who's, like a graphic designer.

[Will Arnett]

You know, who I saw at the mall? Sean Hayes.

[Sean Hayes]

Oh, yeah, I remember him from high school. That's it. He sounds like somebody like your sister's friend from high school. And now you're 50 and you're like, oh, yeah, a couple of years that guy died.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, that. Sadly, that's true.

[Sean Hayes]

There we are. Nick Holt.

[Will Arnett]

Nick Holt.

[Jason Bateman]

Nick Holt is back. Oh, he's not back.

[Sean Hayes]

And more frozen than ever.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, while we.

[Sean Hayes]

Robbie, Is he trying to join back in?

[Will Arnett]

No, I just heard from him and I think there's something going on with his laptop. Well, listen, we lost Nicholas Holt. We have got a real spotty connection there. But you want to know what a guy that busy. We're. We're thankful to keep the amount of time. Time that we had. Right. And this guy is a talent and a charmer. And again, the hair did not disappoint. The jawline did not disappoint.

[Jason Bateman]

Good looking, good looking guy.

[Sean Hayes]

Good looking guy. Very well spoken, super talented. He's got it all. He's got the superstar name.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

Focused like. Like you said, Jay picks the right projects with the right people.

[Will Arnett]

And I'm glad we didn't exhaust him because he's got a lot of talking to do. In the coming months. We are. Everyone's gonna go out and see Superman.

[Sean Hayes]

Yeah, we're gonna see. What was the date? Was it July 11th?

[Jason Bateman]

Did he say July 11th? Yeah.

[Will Arnett]

Beat Scotty to the theater for Superman.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah. No, I'm not even kidding. He's literally already bought his tickets. Not even joking.

[Will Arnett]

He brought something up on his phone last night. Willie.

[Jason Bateman]

Oh, yeah.

[Will Arnett]

You know, I'm over his shoulder and right there. His screensaver on his iPhone is just the Superman. Superman badge. You know, the chest badge.

[Jason Bateman]

That's a screensaver. I mean, I know he's a big nerd. He's a big fat nerd. Not fat, but he's nerd.

[Sean Hayes]

That's a funny. That's a. That's a great nerd. Is a great way to put. Put it. Yeah, it's not the word I'd use.

[Nicholas Holt]

Right.

[Sean Hayes]

I mean, mine starts with an L. A L. Remember when people just remember because nerds all of a sudden sort of appropriated the word losers appropriated the word nerd because they thought like it made them sound better and they're just losers.

[Jason Bateman]

Well, I'm going to write this down and make sure Scotty knows.

[Sean Hayes]

No, I'm kidding. I love Scotty. Where does.

[Will Arnett]

Where does dork live? In that. In that. In that list? Is that. Is that more pejorative?

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, dork is.

[Sean Hayes]

I'm a loser too. I'm like a hardcore fan who's bummed out about a sports last night. Like, that doesn't exactly make me a winner.

[Will Arnett]

Yeah.

[Jason Bateman]

No, but you know, I was going to say how good how good looking Nick Nick Holt is. And I said to. I said to Will the off the.

[Will Arnett]

Mic a little bit.

[Sean Hayes]

I said.

[Jason Bateman]

I said if you're attracted.

[Sean Hayes]

Look at this. If you're attracted to if you're attracted.

[Jason Bateman]

To both men and women, but neither are attracted to you.

[Sean Hayes]

You.

[Jason Bateman]

Yeah, you are. By yourself.

[Sean Hayes]

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[Will Arnett]

Learning online doesn't mean learning alone.

[Sean Hayes]

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[Will Arnett]

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[Jason Bateman]

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[Sean Hayes]

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[Will Arnett]

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[Jason Bateman]

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[Sean Hayes]

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[Will Arnett]

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