Robert Pattinson and Nicolas Hoult are among the latest actors to screen test for the role of James Bond, according to multiple sources, joining a widening field of hopefuls vying to play 007.
Both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter revealed Friday that
Pattinson — already the star of The Batman series, and veteran of the Harry Potter and Twilight franchises — auditioned for the Bond role for director Denis Villeneuve in late-October; Pattinson and Villeneuve, who will shepherd the upcoming Bond films, recently worked together on Dune: Part Three.
Hoult, who reportedly finished runner-up to Pattinson to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in that superhero reboot, also screen-tested to take over for Daniel Craig in the much-desired 007 role. Hoult, who has featured in the Superman and X-Men franchises, next appears in Amazon MGM Studios’ How to Rob a Bank, the same studio that will produce the new Bond films.
Variety adds that Harry Styles “had discussions” about playing Bond, but it’s unclear whether he actually audition for the role. Amazon MGM Studios did not comment on the reports of the new screen tests, and have remained largely silent throughout the audition process, which began in May 2026. “The search for the next James Bond is underway,” the studio said at the time.
Pattinson and Hoult join previously reported hopefuls Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Josh O’Connor, the three actors who were considered the favorites to play 007 before Pattinson and Hoult leapt into the race; the Bond buzz around Jacob Elordi, once considered the favorite to play 007, has quieted in recent weeks.
Last year, the studio announced that Denis Villeneuve would direct the next Bond film, a follow-up to 2021’s No Time to Die, Craig’s final outing as the spy. The Dune filmmaker will serve as executive producer alongside Tanya Lapointe, while Amy Pascal and David Heyman will produce the upcoming project. The film is being written by Steven Knight, best known as the creator of Peaky Blinders.
“I’m a die-hard Bond fan,” Villeneuve said when the announcement was made. “To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
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