Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult have emerged as surprise James Bond contenders, according to reports.
Multiple sources have allegedly brought Pattinson’s name to The Hollywood Reporter’s attention, while Variety has also named Hoult, among others, as a contender.
Their names join Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor on the James Bond ballot.
This trio was named as having screen-tested for the role over the last week or so, but apparently so have Pattinson and Hoult.
The name’s Wayne – and Bond?
Pattinson, 40, is a highly intriguing name to be thrown into the Bond race at this stage.
First, he is four years the senior of Turner, Lowden and O’Connor, which runs counter to the heavily rumoured ‘Amazon wants a younger Bond’ theory.
Second, he is without question a Hollywood A-lister, whereas Bonds of old have often been cast as rising stars or television heavy hitters.
Pattinson is well-loved by Millennials for his leading role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight franchise, which he followed with an indie run, working with the Safdie brothers and Robert Eggers.
He also had a starring role in Christopher Nolan’s Bond-inspired Tenet.
Arguably, Pattinson is one of the most talented actors working today, and one of the most recognised for being able to code-switch between wildly different roles.
2026, in particular, has seen him on the big screen in several projects, including co-leading The Drama, joining Nolan’s ensemble in The Odyssey, and playing Chris Hansen in Primetime.
Intriguingly, Pattinson will next be on screen in Dune: Part Three, directed by Dennis Villenueve, who is also helming the new Bond.
Has Villeneuve found his Bond by working with him on set already?
Should Pattinson win the part, it would see him juggle Bond with Batman, an unprecedented feat.
Pattinson donned the black cape in Matt Reeves’ exemplary 2022 film The Batman, and is currently shooting its sequel.
He has handled the world-famous franchise extremely well and is loved by fans of the Batman comics and film franchise for his take on the character.
Perhaps Amazon, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman, Villeneuve, and casting director Nina Gold see that as a key indicator that Pattinson could handle Bond with equal success.
Hoult in the running
Hoult, 36, lost out on Batman to Pattinson and on Superman to David Corenswet (landing the role of Lex Luthor instead).
Still, it would appear he’s rallied to go after another world-famous part in Bond.
His career started in childhood, with many viewers first seeing him opposite Hugh Grant in 2002’s About a Boy.
For Brits, Hoult is also well known for being part of the amazing acting cohort that cut their teeth in the youth drama Skins.
He’s also starred in the X-Men franchise, first appearing as Hank McCoy/Beast in X-Men: First Class (2011).
Moreover, like Pattinson, Hoult has a diverse portfolio, having worked with George Miller on Mad Max: Fury Road, Yorgos Lanthimos on The Favourite, Clint Eastwood in Juror #2, and Eggers in Nosferatu.
Hoult’s star presence, although not quite as big as Pattinson’s, is still big enough to make him a slight outlier compared to Bond castings of old.
Who will be James Bond?
Curiously, Variety also name-checked Theo James, 41, as another actor not ruled out for Bond.
Fans of Guy Ritchie’s series The Gentleman have long touted James as a worthy successor to Daniel Craig’s Bond.
Moreover, Variety noted that Harry Styles has discussed Bond, but given his limited acting experience compared to the other names on this list, he is a very unlikely candidate.
Turner remains the bookies’ favourite, ahead of Lowden and O’Connor.
It’s said we will find out the new Bond before the end of the year, but it feels like we’re getting close to learning who will be uttering the lines from Steven Knight’s script sooner rather than later.
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