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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