Pattinson, Hoult reportedly screen-tested for James Bond

Robert Pattinson, the current star of DC Studios' Batman films, has screen-tested for the role of James Bond, The Hollywood Reporter reported, citing multiple sources. That puts him among the finalists alongside Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O'Connor.

Nicholas Hoult has also emerged as a contender. He was the runner-up to Pattinson for Batman in Matt Reeves' 2022 film.

According to the trade, the tests took place the weekend of Oct. 24 in London, where Pattinson is shooting "The Batman Part II." The outlet had earlier reported that four or possibly five actors were in contention, although only three names had become public at that point.

Deadline separately reported that Pattinson and Hoult joined the other three in the recent tests. It cited insiders and said the information was not confirmed. Those insiders told Deadline that a fifth test was added at the last minute, but it is unknown which actor it was for. The final group was no larger than five, according to Deadline's sources.

Amazon MGM Studios, which controls the franchise, has not commented. The company had no comment for The Hollywood Reporter or TheWrap, declined to comment to Variety and could not be reached by Deadline.

An unexpected name for 007

The Hollywood Reporter called Pattinson's candidacy a surprise. The conventional expectation had been that the next Bond would not be an actor with worldwide fame. Pattinson, 40, already leads one of the biggest superhero franchises. He became internationally known through "Twilight" a few years after his breakout role in 2005's "Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire."

The trade described this as the biggest year of Pattinson's career. He has a key role in Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey" and co-leads A24's "The Drama" with Zendaya. He also stars in A24's "Primetime" as Chris Hansen, host of the hidden-camera series "To Catch a Predator." TheWrap reported possible Oscar buzz for that performance.

Pattinson also has a link to the Bond director, Denis Villeneuve. He stars in Villeneuve's "Dune: Part 3," which opens Dec. 18. The Hollywood Reporter said the two men's work on that film reportedly went well.

Hoult brings his own franchise experience. He plays Lex Luthor in DC's Superman films and appeared in the "X-Men" prequel trilogy of the 2010s. His next film, Amazon MGM Studios' "How to Rob a Bank," reaches theaters Nov. 13.

Other contenders and endorsements

The list of possible Bonds may be longer than the screen-test group. Variety reported that Harry Styles has had discussions about the part, and that Theo James, 41, has not been ruled out.

Other actors have offered public support for some of the finalists. Pierce Brosnan, who played Bond in the 1990s, recently endorsed Turner. Gary Oldman backed Lowden, who co-stars with him in "Slow Horses." Oldman also said the next Bond has already been chosen, although no casting has been officially announced.

Deadline traced the search back to the spring. That was when the studio said casting director Nina Gold had joined the project and that the search was underway. After about two months of meetings, a first round of auditions followed in August.

In September, the studio, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, and Villeneuve narrowed the field and arranged test offers, according to Deadline. The final tests were first scheduled for earlier in October. They were moved to the end of the month because of the finalists' scheduling conflicts, so that all of them could test at about the same time.

The film will be the first Bond movie made under Amazon's control. The company bought out the franchise's creative rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025, and longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson gave up creative control to the studio. Pascal produced the "Spider-Man" films, and Heyman produced the "Harry Potter" movies. Steven Knight, creator of "Peaky Blinders," is writing the screenplay.

The new Bond will replace Daniel Craig, who was cast in October 2005. He played the role in five films, ending with 2021's "No Time to Die." His run included 2012's "Skyfall," the only Bond film to earn $1 billion.

No date has been set for a decision. Deadline reported that most people expect one by the end of November, possibly before Thanksgiving.