Nicholas Hoult to star in 'X-Men'

Nicholas Hoult has joined the cast of prequel X-Men: First Class, Coming Soon has confirmed.

Hoult, the former Skins and A Single Man star, will play Beast, a scientist who possesses superhuman strength and a blue, cat-like appearance. Benjamin Walker had previously been attached to role, but left due to a scheduling clash.

In addition, Caleb Landry Jones has been cast as Sean Cassidy, a hero with a 'sonic scream' also known as Banshee.

James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Alice Eve and Aaron Johnson are among the cast for Matthew Vaughn's First Class, which begins filming in London this summer.