cornerstone

it really does feel like we're living through the golden era of nicholas hoult, and i have to say... i'm thoroughly enjoying it. people from all over the world will tell you they learned english by watching friends, but for me it was skins. watching you go from british teen drama to becoming one of hollywood's most consistently brilliant actors has been pretty amazing. i genuinely hope you're managing to squeeze in a well-earned break somewhere, because it feels like you've barely stopped for breath these past few years... and somehow you still keep going. i almost feel guilty interrupting you in case you're finally catching up on that nap you've definitely earned. ( @houltnc )

the golden era? is that what being lex luthor gets me? because i'm definitely going to drink it up every bit. but no, i appreciate that and the compliment. did you really watch skins to learn english? i feel like that's a bit like learning all the curse words in a language before everything else, which naturally i approve of. it's sort of unreal sometimes how long i've been doing this, although it's still interesting and fun, so i'm milking it for all it's worth. i don't know what a break means, though. maybe it's having young children and being used to that not being part of the vocab, since they never let me catch a breath. so no, you're not interrupting anything, though maybe you'll have time to take a nap so i can live vicariously.

It's been a while since we've seen each other last, it can't be since we promoted the film, right? Because that was back in 2019, and I don't want to believe we've gone this long without being in contact! But if it has been that long, clearly we're due for a meetup sometime and just catch each other up on what we've missed out on in each other's lives. Because you've got two little ones now, right? And I've got a little one now too, and she's pretty much the light of my whole life. Though I know getting you in one place is a little tricky since you're in demand and always filming, so you'll have to let me know when you've got a free moment! I'm in Paris right now but always willing to travel to see a friend. ( @houltnc )

as much as i don't want to believe it, i think that much time has passed since i last saw you, lil. which is insane, and how did we let so much time go by without planning on meeting up? personally, i blame our children since they're easy scapegoats. lights of my life too, but also scapegoats. but you're right, i'm a dad of two, and it's surreal that you're a mom yourself. how old is your little one now? you're quite in demand yourself, love, so it means a lot that you can travel to see me, and also leave behind a beautiful city like paris for even a moment. i'd offer to meet halfway, but i'm back filming in atlanta now that i'm mostly finished with promo. so if you wanted to come see little old me, i'd happily welcome an old friend.

bribe? says the man who has been working since he was...how old? i swear i'll take the secret to the grave. it is a bit of a cop out, but i'll let it slide, just this once. i do think that it's smart to want to keep exploring different genres and that sort of thing. really? you've just taken on projects because you wanted to work with someone? i don't know if i've done that, though i've been lucky with a lot of the people i've been cast with. i feel like i want to steal your answer, but i honestly really love anything i get to do.

exactly, and it just means i've had plenty of time to work on my bribing skills. appreciate you taking that secret to the grave, and nice to know who i can trust. just once? i hope you know that just makes me want to test if you'll let anything else slide. i just feel like i'd get a bit bored doing the same things again and again, but hey, sometimes that works for people. to be fair, these are folks who are incredibly talented, so the projects being good isn't something i worry about. it's nice when things work out well though, i'll agree there. my cop out answer, you mean? i'll be nice and not call you out too badly, since that's a great attitude to have. now i can't help thinking it'd be fun being part of a project with you.

I wish I could fly over, but I'm doing all this press for the Spiderman stuff and I can't get away. Aa tragic as it sounds, I think we're going to have to wait and it's going to be tough, but I knoe we'll make it through. Think you could still keep that submissive behaviour around next time I do have the chance to get away? It's pretty hot and I would hate to miss out. Maybe we can call soon? Or facetime if you're into that.

i can understand getting caught up in press, especially for a film as big as spiderman. i had to do a little promo myself, though hardly on the same scale. i can be a little patient and keep the submissive behavior on ice, just for you. how's promo going for you so far? well, in the name of you calling all the shots, pick which one you want and i'll go along with it.

okay, i have to ask… after bouncing between so many different genres over the last few years, do you have one that feels the most like home? i feel like every time i see your name attached to a project it's something completely different from the last. @houltnc

so you've caught on that i bribe my way onto as many sets as i can. let's just keep that our secret, okay? but no, is it a bit of a cop out answer to say i feel at home doing a lot of different things? i don't tend to like doing too much of one thing if i can help it. although the real secret is, it's all about who's part of a project because if there's someone i'd really love to work with, doesn't matter what it is, i'm in. i could ask you the same question, since you have quite a wide range of genres you've worked on yourself. respect.

PRIVATE: god, the worst part is you know how close we are... were... and you still dropped me the way you did? like, we work together for gods sake. did you think you were going to be able to ghost me and we just wouldn't bump into each other again? was there any thought about me as you were going through your own shit? i know the separation fucked you up. i just wanted to make sure you were okay and feel like i got the short end of the stick in the end. do you know how ridiculous it's going to look when leads of the movies aren't a part of group interviews together or interacting? i'm sure i can fake it a little bit longer at our premieres. you know i don't say things i don't mean. and believe me, if i wanted you out of your clothes, you'd know.

PRIVATE: i mean, it's probably quite clear i didn't give a lot of thought to anything in the future, which day to day is about the best i'm doing right now, if i'm being honest. not that it's an excuse, and i'm definitely not making any excuses for how i treated you no matter what was going on. also don't deny you got the short end of the stick just trying to look out for me, which i don't think i realized the full gravity of until this second. i'm sorry, zo, i really am. and i get if you don't want anything to do with me for a while, or ever, if that's your choice. i don't think it looks ridiculous we're not all doing press together when there's a natural separation between your character from the main group in the film, so it made sense the same group is doing promo together. i doubt anyone's asking questions about it when it's just the format. if they start, we can always ask pete to do something crazy and get the attention all on him. he's great that way.

For months, Jennifer had known something was off with Nicholas. She couldn’t prove it. He hadn’t said anything outright. But she knew him well enough to recognize the difference between fine and whatever polished version of fine he kept handing her whenever she asked. She wondered if his divorce had affected him more than he wanted to admit, and no matter how gently she asked, she always got the same answers. I’m fine. Nothing’s wrong. Which, of course, only made her worry more. The man was stubborn in a way that almost impressed her, and coming from Jennifer, that meant something. So, in true Jen fashion, she stopped asking and booked a flight. It was impulsive, maybe even a little dramatic, but rash decisions had always been part of her charm, or at least that was what she told herself. Cooke had the boys for the week, Nick had been taking forever to answer her messages, and Jennifer had officially run out of patience.

there was a truth to time moving right along at its usual pace, even in the face of events that made it feel like time had stopped, and nicholas had been experiencing that juxtaposition ever since his separation. but instead of sitting in it, he built a world outside of his own sadness and the feeling everything familiar had dropped from under him, somewhere he felt okay. distractions were always the center of this world, and lately nicholas had given himself plenty of them: work, travel, basketball, women, filling the time when he wasn't spending it with his children, anything to keep the chance for quiet contemplation at bay. so far, the act had worked since to anyone who didn't know him well, nicholas seemed fine. he could pretend to be fine and convince even himself that he was fine if no one around him was particularly worried about him. but the people who knew him best could also tell that things with him weren't normal in any sense of the word, could see the fraying in the attempts to keep his sadness away and the frantic, almost chaotic energy to keep moving so he didn't have to stop and think. and it was why nicholas had barely talked to the people closest to him, only occasionally talking to his parents and siblings, and sending sparce texts to close friends if he hadn't ignored them altogether. it explained why he kept things brief and somewhat cursory in his communications with jennifer, the i'm fine and nothing's wrong that he knew she'd see right through, along with his pretending. and for the moment, he just didn't want to be called out, wasn't ready for the reality that anyone could see through his act.

how many kids do you have anyways? shit, you got me there. blue ivy def makes the top of the cool kids list, entirely based on her parents and the fact that she kicks ass at dancing. if it comes to that, can i take over as the president of your fan club? i need a new hobby. oh no, i completely get that. nearly hit by a bus? they're going in a bubble for at least a year or two while i organize a protest against buses.

i've got two kids. and seriously, she was probably cooler as a kid than i've been my entire life just for the dancing bit. and of course, i think you've earned the president of my fan club role with just the research alone, never mind there's probably no one who wants to unseat you, either. it's all yours for life. and exactly, i'd probably produce a whole documentary about the dangers of buses just so everyone knows. and also thank my kids for both inspiring me and scarring me for life.

Mhmm. couldn't have said it better. Hahah no Paul is much more gladiator in the right times. Right? I think he's good at so much even if he's ok at fighting he'd well be worth saving, and not just cause I love him. I mean at the end of the day that feels like what being a parent is about

that means a gladiator could probably take on a few zombies, right? so maybe he'd last 11 minutes in a fight. he's a great actor too, and we'd need entertainment during the end of the world, so i imagine he'd be the one helping put the theater scene back on the map. and decent point, i'll just pretend my being weaker at survival than my kids means i'm a good parent.

Voicemails for Isabelle is out now, go watch it on Netflix! now that i'm done with that self promotion - i need a very long, beachy vacation. one where i'm going to put my phone on silent, grab a nice juicy book and ignore the world for at least a week. maybe two if i can get away with it. tell me your favorite vacation spots so that i can add them to my list of places to go before im 40.

oh, i watched it the second it dropped on netflix. even requested an alert for the exact time and everything, seeing it was that serious for me. and enjoyed it every bit, though no surprise when it comes to anything you're part of. you're absolutely due a vacation, so i hope you're making that happen. have you decided on any locations yet? and you know me, i'm happy anywhere as long as there's a beach and clear water to swim in.

do we have a date scheduled soon, man? somewhere public, because i think we need to spark some romance rumors ahead of "how to rob a bank" being released. no, but for real... don't you think i'd make a pretty good boyfriend? i'd pay for dinner, compliment you on the daily and hold the door open. so what do you say? date me? or maybe we just stay in and spend all night watching some underrated movies, while my kid sleeps in the next room. [ @houltnc ]

no, which i knew something was missing in my life and couldn't quite pinpoint it until you suggested we go out on a date. also definitely has the advantage of getting more eyes on how to rob a bank when they'd do a double take at the two of us out in public holding hands and having romantic lunches. can you tell i've thought about this? it's like you knew food, compliments, and chivalry are tier elements for a good boyfriend for me personally, so i'd say yes, and i'd be crazy to pass on that or on you. personally, i think we could be quite diverse, the kind of couple that could have just as much fun with a night out on the town as a night on the couch. you mean our kids, right? because they have to start getting along and spending time together, after all.

So what you're telling me is that you're completely loyal until someone offers you a prettier costume. That's actually very on brand for an actor, because same. Emotional Support Lois Lane and Superman does sound weirdly prestigious. Like a service people should be able to request for major life events. I'm obsessed with the fact that Leather Mother commits federal crimes simply because she's bored. The difference is I'd at least have the self-awareness to know I was being insufferable. You, on the other hand, would spend the next ten years casually bringing it up in every conversation and I'm here for it because we love your chaotic side.

pretty much, but until that point, i'm the most dedicated person you ever did see. not everyone has to know my secret of being a sucker for pretty or cool things. a service people should be able to request for life events! i'd agree if i weren't selfish and didn't want to share you two. besides, i'm a mess and you'll never know when you're needed. and her crimes just get more buzzworthy until she just causes government to collapse entirely. i mean, do you? i'm joking, you're much more self aware than i am. only question is if you'd like elbow me when i was being insufferable or just let everyone around me gradually dissociate the more i talk.

"I'm not sure what kinda drugs they put on this show but I've watched it twice already... It's the vibe, the music, the acting. Everything is soooooo damn good". @limelightblvdstarters

so you've finally watched the great? it's about time, kris! i told you it'd be worth watching. though if it isn't this and something else, just lie to me and tell me how much you loved it.

What exactly did DC offer you to get you to turn to the dark side? Because from where I'm standing, Beast could've been canon in the MCU, and instead you've gone off to spend your days with the bloke who wears his undies over his trousers. No shade to Corenswet, by the way. He seems like a solid dude. I just feel like we deserve answers. ( @houltnc )

what's hilarious is someone else brought this point up to me mere days ago, and now i'm wondering if there's an undercover beast society i'm no longer privy to for crossing to the dc side. i fully blame james gunn for that since i'd been wanting to work with him forever, and there's no way i could have turned down that offer. so sorry, beast and mcu. the undies over his trousers are the reason david enrages me so much, mainly how well he wears them when most of us would look stupid in the same outfit. but you know, take the good with the bad and all.