Bond Casting Buzz Puts Pattinson and Hoult in the Running

WHO:

Coming Soon - Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult were reported to be among the actors in the running to play James Bond, succeeding Daniel Craig.

Euronews.com - The reported Bond candidates also included Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor; Turner had received Pierce Brosnan’s approval, and Lowden had long been considered a favorite.

Euronews.com - Hoult, 36, is known for the X-Men films, *Mad Max: Fury Road*, *Nosferatu* and *Superman*, in which he plays Lex Luthor; he is also set to appear in *Man of Tomorrow*.

Euronews.com - Pattinson, 40, appeared in *Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire*, the *Twilight* franchise, *The Lost City of Z*, *High Life*, *The Lighthouse* and *Tenet*. He plays Batman in Matt Reeves’ *The Batman* and is filming its sequel.

Euronews.com - Pattinson starred with Zendaya in *The Drama*, played Antinous in Christopher Nolan’s *The Odyssey* and portrayed Chris Hansen in *Primetime*.

Euronews.com - Bond 26 producer Amy Pascal, director Denis Villeneuve and writer Steven Knight are involved in the next film. Amazon has taken creative control of the franchise from Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.

Euronews.com - Retired casting director Debbie McWilliams helped cast Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig as Bond.

WHAT:

Coming Soon - Coming Soon reported that Pattinson and Hoult had screen-tested for Bond, citing The Hollywood Reporter.

Euronews.com - Deadline and Variety also reported that Pattinson and Hoult had taken secret Bond screen tests, expanding what had been viewed as a three-person race.

Coming Soon - One Coming Soon headline reported that Bond fans were expressing a preference for one actor; another said Hoult’s fans had asked Amazon for something following his reported audition. The excerpts do not specify the preference or request.

Euronews.com - The article said online reactions were positive about Pattinson as Bond and compared his *Tenet* role to an audition for the part.

Coming Soon - A separate Coming Soon article said Pattinson’s Bond test revealed more about Batman than 007.

Euronews.com - Pascal said the casting process was “really, really methodical” and that Craig was “a hard act to follow”; she said the next casting should be “really different,” “stirring” and “exciting.”

WHERE:

Euronews.com - Villeneuve spoke about the casting at the LACMA Art + Film Gala. He joked that he would reveal the next Bond, then stopped before naming anyone.

WHY:

Euronews.com - The article said Pattinson’s upcoming role in Villeneuve’s *Dune: Part Three* was viewed by some as an advantage in the Bond race because Villeneuve is directing Bond 26.

Euronews.com - The reported screen tests challenged expectations that Amazon would choose a relatively unknown actor in his late 20s or early 30s; established stars could command higher salaries, and audiences may associate them with previous roles.

Euronews.com - McWilliams said Bond must “retain[] a total enigma,” explaining: “We want to know as little about them personally as possible, because that’s what spies are.”

HOW:

Euronews.com - The reported candidates took screen tests as part of the Bond casting process.

Euronews.com - Pascal said in August that an official casting announcement by the end of the year was “a good bet.”

Euronews.com - Production on Bond 26 is expected to begin in 2027, with release planned for 2028 at the earliest.

Euronews.com - McWilliams said audiences must believe Bond can kill, adding: “If you don’t, then you’ve lost the audience.”

(UPDATED November 9, 2026 22:03 UTC)

Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult reportedly screen-tested to succeed Daniel Craig as James Bond. They join reported contenders Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor in the expanding race. Producer Amy Pascal says casting is methodical; Bond 26 production is expected to begin in 2027.