Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult Screen-Test for Next James Bond

British film stars Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult have screen-tested to play the next James Bond. According to reports from The Hollywood Reporter, the tests took place over the weekend of October 24 in London, where Pattinson is currently shooting The Batman Part II. Amazon MGM Studios, which is backing the project, has not yet commented on these casting reports.

Cast and Crew

The 26th James Bond film will be directed by Denis Villeneuve and written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, with producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman overseeing the project. This upcoming movie marks a new chapter as the first film in the series made under Amazon's creative control after the company acquired creative rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025. Daniel Craig previously played the secret agent across five films over 15 years, starting with Casino Royale in 2006 and ending with No Time to Die in 2021.

Other Contenders

Several other actors have been linked to the coveted 007 role, including Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor, and Jack Lowden. According to Variety, singer and actor Harry Styles has also held discussions about the part, alongside 41-year-old Theo James. Meanwhile, former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has publicly backed Callum Turner, and actor Gary Oldman has supported his Slow Horses co-star Jack Lowden while claiming that the next James Bond has already been selected, despite no official announcement from the makers.

Context

Casting a new James Bond is one of the most closely watched processes in the film industry because the franchise spans decades and multiple lead actors. Major Hollywood studios often test established stars from other blockbuster franchises when looking to cast their next major action lead. The involvement of filmmaker Denis Villeneuve and Amazon MGM Studios signals a major fresh direction for the long-running spy series.