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

The race for 007 has two far more famous names in it. Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult screen-tested for James Bond in the final round for director Denis Villeneuve, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Variety and Deadline, all citing unnamed sources. Amazon MGM Studios has not commented.

Pattinson is the real surprise. The 40-year-old already plays Batman for DC Studios and is currently shooting The Batman Part II in London, where, THR says, the Bond tests were held. He has also worked with Villeneuve on Dune: Part Three, which opens on December 18. Hoult, Lex Luthor in DC’s Superman films, was the runner-up to Pattinson for Batman years ago.

Both join a shortlist that already included Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden. Deadline’s sources put the group at no more than five actors, with one test added at the last minute; which actor that was is unclear. The tests slipped from early October to the end of the month because of the finalists’ schedules, and THR dates them to the weekend of October 24.

Bond 26 is produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman, and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing the script. Casting an actor who is already Batman would be an unusual choice for a role that has usually gone to a less familiar face.

No decision date has been announced. Deadline says most expect one by the end of November, possibly before Thanksgiving.

Reported by The Hollywood Reporter, Variety, Deadline. Compiled with AI tools.