Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult have emerged as late-stage screen-test contenders to play James Bond, expanding a final shortlist that includes Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor, and Jack Lowden ahead of an expected casting announcement by the end of November.
The search for the next 007 took an unexpected turn when established major franchise stars entered the audition process according to The Hollywood Reporter. Final screen tests took place over the weekend of October 24 in London, where Pattinson was filming as Culture reported. While initial discussions focused on rising younger actors, the inclusion of Pattinson and Hoult brings established box-office commodities into consideration for the franchise.
Franchise Veterans Join Final Screen Tests
The group of finalists testing for the role grew to five actors after a final screen test was added at the eleventh hour as Deadline reported. The revised schedule followed coordination challenges that pushed the final auditions from early October to the end of the month, allowing the candidates to complete their reads close together according to ABPLive. The contenders completed their evaluations alongside Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, and Callum Turner as Yahoo noted.
One stars in a 2026 Amazon pic and another likes to wear a mask https://t.co/IEP3I8AkAZ
Pattinson carries experience leading massive studio properties, having starred as Batman for DC Studios alongside earlier roles in the Twilight and Harry Potter film series according to Variety. His recent film work includes a collaboration with director Denis Villeneuve on Dune: Part 3. Hoult portrays Lex Luthor in the DCU and has a history in major franchise fare including the X-Men prequel trilogy as ComicBook reported.
Amazon Steering the 007 Reboot
This casting process marks the first James Bond film developed under the creative control of Amazon, which purchased the rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025 as The Hollywood Reporter noted. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have worked alongside director Denis Villeneuve and writer Steven Knight to advance the production as Yahoo reported. Casting director Nina Gold joined the project in the spring of 2026 to oversee initial auditions and narrow the candidate list according to Culture.
THE HOT MIC (the greatest movie podcast in the world, sorry, Ringer) can reveal ROBERT PATTINSON as the masked man who has entered the mix for JAMES BOND, using the delay on THE BATMAN PART II to test at the last minute. pic.twitter.com/MkzkHKVwoI
The franchise last released a film with Daniel Craig, whose 15-year tenure concluded with 2021’s No Time to Die
as Variety reported. Craig was originally set as Bond in October 2005, a run that included 2012’s Skyfall,
which generated $1 billion as The Hollywood Reporter documented.
Industry Figures and Rising Actors Spark Casting Discussions
Before the inclusion of Pattinson and Hoult, public and press discussions centered primarily on rising names such as Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, and Callum Turner as Variety detailed. Harry Styles has had discussions regarding the part, and Theo James remains part of the wider conversation without being ruled out according to Variety reporting. Other prominent figures from across the industry have voiced preferences for specific contenders, with 1990s Bond actor Pierce Brosnan offering his support for Turner, while Gary Oldman publicly backed his Slow Horses
co-star Lowden as Variety noted.
Earlier coverage: Callum Turner Among Final Contenders for James Bond Role
BREAKING via THE HOT MIC: Nicholas Hoult in the running for James Bond.
More on Robert Pattinson
Nicholas Hoult seeing Robert pattinson in auditions again https://t.co/11n5Za4IUN pic.twitter.com/zjhfNw4Gw0
Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult were among the stars who screen-tested to play the new James Bond. Harry Styles and Theo James have also had discussions and shouldn’t be ruled out. (Sources: • https://t.co/SJ8MSpJe0x • https://t.co/yRjJ5hXXNe) pic.twitter.com/QLmxsTroRZ
Robert Pattinson had a screen test for the next #JamesBond in October… Nicholas Hoult is also a contender, apparently #Bond26 https://t.co/c0TsmM05Pd
The 5 finalists that have tested for the role of James Bond: • Robert Pattinson • Jack Lowden • Callum Turner • Nicholas Hoult • Josh O'Connor Who would you choose? pic.twitter.com/G7DDjFHmQR
Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult are in the running for James Bond. (via https://t.co/rg62QGAXbn) pic.twitter.com/N20co0OVac