Nicholas Hoult had 'awkward' moment meeting David Corenswet while auditioning to play Superman

Nicholas Hoult found it "very awkward" to audition to play Superman "on the same day" as David Corenswet.

The 35-year-old actor is playing the Man of Steel's arch-nemesis Lex Luther in the upcoming Superman film but he originally went up for the Man of Steel and was feeling confident about his try-out to play Clark Kent, until he met his future co-star outside.

Speaking to guest host Diego Luna on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Nicholas said: “This is very awkward. Yes, I auditioned for Superman.

“I walked out of doing one of my audition scenes, and I was like, ‘Yeah, not bad. OK.'

"And I walked around the corner, and there were lots of shadows on the studio lot, and then one ray of sunshine. And David had taken a seat in this ray of sunshine and was sitting there, like, charging up from the sun … like Superman does, getting his power.

“And I walked over to say hello, and he stood up, and I was like, ‘Goddamn, he’s about an inch taller than me. Look at his hair. Look at his jawline.’ And then he started speaking, and I shook his hand, and I was like, ‘His hands are a bit bigger than me.’ And then he spoke, and I was like, ‘Oh, his voice is a little bit deeper too.’ "

Nicholas immediately knew David would be the "perfect" choice to play Superman - and was "happy" if that was who beat him to the role.

He added: “And then, in that moment, whilst we were shaking hands, I was like, ‘I’d be happy if this guy was Superman.’ I was like, you’re perfect or it, really, genuinely. … But also, what the f***."

In the joint interview, David also admitted their meeting was "a bit weird".

He said: "I had admired Nick as an actor for a long time, and to get to meet him in this context, both dressed as Clark Kent … a bit weird, hanging from wires and reading this scene.

“It was wonderful"

The 31-year-old actor was delighted when he learned The Great star would still be part of the film as his rival.

He said: “And then the day that I found out that he had agreed to play Lex Luthor, I thought, ‘This may be the best thing that happens to this film, because a superhero is only as interesting as their villain.’ And I knew Nick was going to bring something really special.”