Toni Collette, who portrayed a mother in the film “About a Boy,” has closely followed the successful journey of her co-star Nicholas Hoult since they worked together.

After 22 years since their appearance alongside Hugh Grant in the beloved coming-of-age dramedy, Hoult and Collette are excited to share the screen again in Clint Eastwood’s new courtroom film “Juror #2,” which hits select theaters this Friday. During their first day of shooting, in a particularly emotional scene, Collette felt a surge of pride, stating she felt “like a proud mother.”

“I was like, oh my God, look at my boy go! He performed so well,” she reflected in conversation with Hoult. “He’s evolved into an incredible actor.”

Hoult shared his surprise at the experience, stating, “It was such a strange mix of feelings. I opened the door and there’s Toni, a familiar face I haven’t seen in 20 years. I feel like I know you so well, but so much time has passed. Yet, I was genuinely thrilled to be there.”

In “Juror #2,” Collette portrays a prosecutor in Georgia whose ambitions of becoming a district attorney hinge on securing a guilty verdict in a murder case, while Hoult plays a reluctant juror deeply connected to the crime, leading both characters to navigate complex moral issues.

This role marks a stark contrast to their dynamics in “About a Boy,” where Hoult played a young boy befriending a wealthy bachelor, portrayed by Grant, while Collette’s character faced challenges related to mental health.

“Reuniting has been so special,” expresses Hoult, 34, who was eager to work with someone who had always made him feel “happy and safe” during his childhood. Collette mentioned how he once told her, “Every time I see you, you remind me of my mom.”

Collette feels the same pride when watching Hoult in films like “Mad Max: Fury Road” or “Warm Bodies,” noting, “Nick has transformed into a fully developed individual, both personally and professionally.” (Recently, Hoult mentioned to Grant in Los Angeles that he participated in Eastwood’s golf tournament, to which Grant replied he felt “very jealous.” When Hoult mentioned racing with Ferrari, Grant joked he was jealous of “two things.”)

Since filming, Hoult and Collette have enjoyed sharing meals and drinks, reminiscing about their time together and swapping stories about Eastwood. Collette was taken aback when Hoult shared a tale from 1951 involving Eastwood surviving a crash in the Pacific, saying simply, “Whoa.”

Reconnecting with Hoult has reminded Collette, who celebrates her 52nd birthday this week, of “the flexibility of time.” She was just 28 during the filming of “About a Boy,” which followed her acclaimed performances in “Muriel’s Wedding” and “The Sixth Sense,” the latter earning her an Academy Award nomination, making the project feel both “very recent and incredibly distant.” At that time, Hoult was just 11 years old and viewing acting as merely a “fun hobby.”

“I still see it in that light,” he laughs. “I love that they allow me to continue doing it, but as a kid, you think, ‘Sure, I want to do this scene, but I also want to go play outside with my friends.’”

“I feel fortunate to keep pursuing this career because I was always aware…

“It’s interesting to note how often child actors don’t continue their careers into adulthood,” Hoult shares. “It’s a strange realization as a young actor, feeling like you might already be set up to fail. That’s why I feel incredibly lucky to still be enjoying my journey and growing in this field.”

Similar to Collette, Hoult has become a parent since “About a Boy.” He mentions that fatherhood has surprisingly provided him with a fresh creative energy. “Now I find more enjoyment in the process and can more easily separate work from family life, which helps me prioritize better. It’s a different kind of inspiration that I really appreciate.”

His upcoming projects showcase his talent, including significant roles in “The Order” set for release on December 6, and “Nosferatu” on December 25. He’s also taking on the role of villain Lex Luthor in the next “Superman” movie, scheduled for July 11 next year. “If someone had told me 20 years ago that I’d be in this position, I would be ecstatic,” Hoult expresses.

Collette is also keen to collaborate with Hoult again. “It has been such a fantastic experience working together,” she remarks. “Now we just need to make it a third time to complete the hat trick!”