Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult reportedly screen-tested for the next James Bond

Pattinson and Hoult enter the race

Reports published on 7 November say Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult both took part in secret screen tests for the next James Bond. Variety, Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter carried the claims, all citing insiders, and Amazon MGM Studios has not commented or announced who will play 007. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pattinson's tests took place on the weekend of 24 October in London. Hoult, known for Skins, The Great and Nosferatu, is named in the same wave of reporting and played Lex Luthor in Superman. Pattinson became Bruce Wayne in The Batman after the Twilight saga.

The earlier shortlist

Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor and Jack Lowden were the names most often linked to the part before these reports. The Independent describes Lowden as the current favourite, and SAPO reports that Gary Oldman has publicly backed him. Variety adds that Harry Styles held talks about the role and that Theo James has not been ruled out. Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond in four films, praised Turner's strength as an actor. Lowden has addressed the rumours publicly, telling GQ:

“I'm just not really going to add to the noise.”

O'Connor told The Hollywood Reporter that being considered in the same bracket as the role was 'extraordinary', and he called reading the reports an incredibly bizarre pinch me moment.

Production team and the Villeneuve link

Denis Villeneuve, a Canadian filmmaker, directs the next film, while Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, writes the screenplay and Amy Pascal and David Heyman are the producers. Pattinson worked with Villeneuve on Dune: Part Three, which is due in cinemas on 18 December. The Independent reports that Villeneuve has sat in on the screen tests. Amazon MGM Studios took over creative control of the franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in early 2025. Daniel Craig's final outing as 007 was No Time to Die, released in 2021, and speculation about his successor has circulated since.

Pattinson's current work

Pattinson is filming The Batman Part II in London, according to N-tv. In 2026 he appeared in Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey and in the media satire Primetime. Der Tagesspiegel also names The Drama, in which he starred alongside Zendaya. The same outlet describes him as one of the biggest stars of his generation.

Still unconfirmed

The Independent reports that five actors are in contention, while N-tv says up to five are in the running. Idris Elba was earlier tipped as the first Black Bond, and Lashana Lynch, who inherited Craig's 007 code name in No Time to Die, was also discussed, according to Der Tagesspiegel. Pattinson, Hoult and the three earlier names have been reported without any confirmation from the studio. The Independent has contacted Amazon for comment, and Amazon MGM Studios has not yet commented on the reports or announced a casting decision.