Nicholas Hoult Climbs Up The Beanstalk For 'Jack The Giant Killer'

That was quick. Just after it was revealed yesterday that Nicholas Hoult was the frontrunner for the role of Jack in Bryan Singer‘s “Jack The Giant Killer,” he’s now looking over paperwork to land the gig.

Deadline reports that Hoult has been offered and is currently negotiating for the lead role and the deal is expected to close fast. And with good reason, as yesterday, some of the baddies Jack will face were cast. Stanley Tucci, Bill Nighy and John Kassir all came aboard the film with Tucci playing the lead villain, “an advisor to the king with designs on usurping power” and Nighy and Kassir teaming to play Fallon, the two-headed leader of the giants (Nighy will have the bigger head of the two).

Written by Christopher McQuarrie, Mark Bomback and Darren Lemke, the film is a revamp of the fairly tale that centers around a war between giants and humans, set off by the kidnapping of a princess and the young farmer who journeys to the giant kingdom on a rescue mission. Last we heard, the film, which was originally set to begin lensing last summer but was delayed as Singer got a handle on the extensive effects, is set to begin lensing next month.

So, Nicholas Hoult as a giant killing, princess saving, farmer? We didn’t think we’d buy it but then we learned the kid is 6’2 1/2″ — who knew? We’re ready to see what kind of imposing presence he’ll make in the pic.