Benjamin Walker Out on 'X-Men'; Nicholas Hoult to Play Beast

Deadline.com has confirmed previously reported on speculation by BroadwayWorld.com that Benjamin Walker will not be playing the 'Beast' in the next installment of the 'X-Men' franchise.  While it was first thought that Walker was dropped from the role, if was later reported that he turned it down in order to help bring BLOODY BLOODY ANDREW JACKSON to Broadway. 

Benjamin Walker's Broadway credits to date include INHERIT THE WIND and LES LIAISONS DANGEREUSES. On film, he has appeared in 'Kinsey' and 'Flags of Our Fathers.'

Deadline.com reports today that 20th Century Fox is hiring Nicholas Hoult for the role.  Best known for playing opposite Hugh Grant in About a Boy, he has also starred in A Single Man and Clash of the Titans. He will also appear in Mad Max: Fury Road for Warner Bros. following X-Men. X-Men also stars James McAvoy (Xavier), Michael Fassbender (Magneto) and Alice Eve (Emma Frost).

The film, which will begin filming in August at England's Pinewood Studios, is a prequel to the previous 'X-Men' films, set when characters Professor Charles Xavier (to be played by James McAvoy) and Erik Lenshaar/Magneto (to be played by Michael Fassbender) are in their late teens and early twenties.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.