Nicholas Hoult may depart 'X-Men' after 'Apocalypse'

AUSTIN, Texas, March 16 (UPI) -- Nicholas Hoult may depart X-Men after X-Men: Apocalypse.

The 25-year-old actor discussed his future with the Marvel film franchise in an interview with E! News at SXSW. Hoult portrayed Hank McCoy, aka Beast, in X-Men: First Class and X-Men: Days of Future Past, but revealed his contract is finished after the upcoming sequel.

"The first one did so well and [Days of Future Past] got received so brilliantly," he mused. "It's like, 'Wow, people really want to see the films,' and the best thing is it's a great crew and cast to work with and he's a fun character. I have a good time playing him so I'd keep making them."

X-Men: Apocalypse takes place 10 years after X-Men: Days of Future Past, and will feature newcomers Sophie Turner, Alexandra Shipp, Tye Sheridan and Kodi Smit-McPhee as young versions of Jean Grey, Storm, Cyclops and Nightcrawler. The film opens in theaters May 27, 2016.

Hoult is scheduled for a number of other projects, including Autobahn with Felicity Jones, Equals with Kristen Stewart and Mad Max: Fury Road with Tom Hardy. He and Mad Max co-star Charlize Theron will also appear in Dark Places, which released a first trailer this month.