Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult Emerge as Leading New James Bond Contenders

Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult have emerged as unexpected frontrunners in the race to become the next James Bond, with both actors reportedly having screen-tested for the coveted role.

A new report from The Hollywood Reporter says Pattinson, 40, took part in auditions for the part over the weekend of October 24, and joined other recently considered candidates: Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor.

Hoult, 36, has also reportedly been singled out as one of the mystery hopefuls, and TheWrap corroborated the reports that both actors were among those who tested.

Pattinson’s surprise involvement comes despite his status as one of Hollywood’s most established leading men, and his current role as Bruce Wayne in the Batman franchise.

The actor has had a packed year, appearing alongside Zendaya in The Drama, playing Antinous in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, and starring as television presenter Chris Hansen in the A24 drama Primetime.

He has also been working on The Batman Part II, while the Bond screen tests reportedly took place in London.

Crucially, Pattinson has already worked with the director of the next Bond film, Denis Villeneuve, on the forthcoming Dune: Part Three, which is scheduled for release on December 18. Their collaboration reportedly went well, potentially strengthening his casting case.

Hoult, meanwhile, has extensive experience in major franchises, having played Beast in the X-Men films and Lex Luthor in Superman, alongside an acclaimed performance in Nosferatu.

Interestingly, Hoult was previously a runner-up to Pattinson for the role of Batman in the 2022 film.

The latest reports add another twist to the lengthy search for Daniel Craig’s successor, which began officially in May.

Earlier this week, Bond experts suggested that Turner had already secured the role after he was reportedly spotted attending a screen test at Bray Studios in Berkshire.

Meanwhile, a separate rumour claimed that O’Connor had been cast as 007, based on an account allegedly given by a colleague from his recent West End production of Golden Boy.

No official announcement has been made, however, and Amazon MGM Studios has declined to comment on the latest casting reports.

The next Bond film will be the first since Amazon assumed creative control of the franchise from longtime custodians Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson in February 2025.

Villeneuve will direct the 26th instalment from a script by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, with Amy Pascal and David Heyman serving as producers.

Pascal has previously indicated that the new Bond will be announced before the end of 2026.

“We are being really, really methodical,” she explained. “I mean, Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it’s got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different.”

Craig was announced as Bond in October 2005 and went on to play the character in five films, beginning with 2006’s Casino Royale and concluding with No Time To Die in 2021.

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