‘X-Men: First Class’ actor Nicholas Hoult has taken the lead role in ‘Warm Bodies’, Summit Entertainment’s film adaptation of the Isaac Marion novel of the same name.

Hoult’s character in the film is an existentially tormented zombie who befriends the girlfriend of one his victims. This friendship starts a chain reaction that transforms him and perhaps will do the same for his fellow zombies and maybe the entire lifeless world.

The young actor has already taken several other coveted genre film leads including the title role in Bryan Singers’ ‘Jack the Giant Killer’, George Miller’s ‘Mad Max’ prequel ‘Fury Road’ as well as the role of Hank McCoy/Beast in the upcoming ‘X-Men: First Class’. ‘X-Men: First Class’ hits theaters on June 3, 2011.

‘Warm Bodies’ will start shooting in late summer 2011 after Hoult finishes ‘Jack the Giant Killer’. Also starring Charlize Theron, ‘Fury Road’ will begin filming in 2012.