The recent release of Smile 2 has fans buzzing about Ray Nicholson’s casting, which many are calling the “best nepo casting of all time.” Ray, son of acting legend Jack Nicholson, plays Paul Hudson in the horror sequel and has been praised for his performance and resemblance to his father. Some fans even mistook promotional material for featuring Jack Nicholson, believing the legendary actor had come out of retirement for the film. One social media user commented, “When I saw the poster I was genuinely confused why they used Jack Nicholson from The Shining in the promo. Had NO IDEA it was his son. Absolutely uncanny.”
Director Parker Finn explained the casting decision, noting that Ray auditioned for the role and nailed it. Finn, a huge fan of The Shining, expressed his admiration for Jack Nicholson and acknowledged Ray’s strong resemblance to his father. He shared, “Jack Nicholson is one of my favorite actors of all time. I love that Ray has very strong genes, and his smile, instantly, I was like, ‘Oh my God, it’s like looking at a young Jack.’”
Finn’s goal was to pay homage to his favorite film, The Shining, through Ray’s casting. He praised Ray’s ability to slip seamlessly into the role, adding, “What really struck me was how well he slipped into that venomous but charming character he’s playing in the film.” Finn admired how Ray brought both a sense of unease and a hint of dark humor to his character’s presence, capturing a similar energy to his father’s iconic performances.
Fans of the horror genre are thrilled with Ray’s performance, with one calling it “one of the best performances of the year, hands down.” Despite the ongoing debate about nepotism in Hollywood, audiences seem pleased with Finn’s decision to cast Ray Nicholson, celebrating it as a fitting tribute to one of cinema’s most memorable horror films.
