The race to become the next James Bond has taken an unexpected turn. According to reports from Deadline and Variety, Nicholas Hoult and Robert Pattinson have both taken part in secret screen tests for the role, joining a shortlist that already included Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Josh O'Connor.
Hoult, 36, is known for his work in the X-Men franchise, Mad Max: Fury Road, Nosferatu, and most recently as Lex Luthor in Superman and its upcoming sequel Man of Tomorrow. Pattinson, 40, rose to fame through Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire and the Twilight series, before building a career with roles in The Lighthouse, Tenet, and as the current Batman in Matt Reeves' The Batman.
The news of their involvement marks a departure from tradition. Historically, Bond has been a role that makes a star rather than one that relies on an established name. Sean Connery was relatively unknown before 007; George Lazenby had barely acted; Roger Moore was a household name from television but not a major film star; Timothy Dalton came from the stage; Pierce Brosnan was best known for a TV series. Only Daniel Craig arrived with notable film credits, yet it was Casino Royale that turned him into a leading man.
Given that pattern, many expected Amazon—which took creative control of the franchise last year from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson—to opt for a lesser-known actor in his late twenties or early thirties. The inclusion of Hoult and Pattinson, both in-demand leading men, suggests the studio may be willing to break with convention and pay for star power.
Pattinson's potential advantage is bolstered by his recent collaboration with Denis Villeneuve, who is set to direct Bond 26. Pattinson appears in Villeneuve's The Odyssey and will star in Dune: Part Three, also directed by Villeneuve. That working relationship has led many to see Pattinson as the new frontrunner.
Yet the choice carries risks. Casting a well-known actor means the public will not discover a fresh face, and audiences may struggle to separate Bond from the actor's previous roles. Retired casting director Debbie McWilliams, who helped cast Dalton, Brosnan, and Craig, told The Independent that it is "absolutely essential that [Bond] retains a total enigma." She added: "We don't need to know where he goes shopping or who his parents are, or where he lives… He's licensed to kill, and we have to believe that he can do that. If you don't, then you've lost the audience."
Internet reaction has been largely positive, with many noting that Pattinson's role in Tenet felt like an audition for Bond. Hoult, meanwhile, has long been a fan favourite for the part.
The official announcement may not be far off. Producer Amy Pascal said in August that "the end of the year is a good bet" for the casting reveal. She emphasised the need for a fresh direction: "Daniel Craig is a hard act to follow. And it's got to be something really different that is stirring, exciting and different."
Villeneuve, who has remained tight-lipped, teased the announcement at the LACMA Art + Film Gala. "With the blessing of my new friends at Amazon, I will reveal to you tonight who will be the next James Bond…" he said, before stopping: "And I will stop right now because Amy Pascal is about to have a heart attack."
Bond 26 is being written by Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders. It will be the first film in the franchise since Amazon assumed full creative control.
For now, the speculation continues. Whether the next 007 is a relative newcomer or one of the two A-listers who have just entered the race, the decision will reshape the franchise for years to come. As Pascal noted, the process is being handled "really, really methodically."
