Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult both screen-tested to play the next James Bond, Variety and Deadline report, and Pattinson's audition for director Denis Villeneuve is also confirmed by The Hollywood Reporter. Per Deadline, they join Jack Lowden, Josh O'Connor and Callum Turner among the names who tested. None of it is officially confirmed by Amazon MGM Studios.
Quick answer
Who is up for James Bond? Per Variety and Deadline, Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult screen-tested for 007, after Daniel Craig's 15-year run. Denis Villeneuve is directing the next Bond film for Amazon MGM Studios, with Steven Knight (creator of Peaky Blinders) writing. Deadline calls the report unconfirmed and sourced to insiders. No casting has been announced.
Two franchise veterans
Both actors know how big-franchise work runs. Pattinson plays Batman for DC Studios and came up through Twilight and Harry Potter. Hoult plays Lex Luthor in DC's Superman films and starred in the 2010s X-Men prequel trilogy; Variety notes he next appears in Amazon MGM's How to Rob a Bank on Nov. 13.
The Villeneuve link
Pattinson has the clearest tie to the director: he stars in Villeneuve's upcoming Dune: Part Three. That history is the reason this particular audition landed as a headline, though a working relationship is not a casting decision.
How to read it
Screen tests are not offers. A list of five or more tested names tells you the field is wide, not that it is narrowed. Treat each leak as a data point and wait for Amazon MGM. For other franchise casting stories we are tracking, see Adam Driver and the Ben Solo question and Jason Statham's Guy Ritchie Netflix film.
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Frequently asked questions
Q: Who screen-tested for James Bond?
A: Per Deadline: Robert Pattinson, Nicholas Hoult, Jack Lowden, Josh O'Connor and Callum Turner.
Q: Has the new Bond been cast?
A: No official announcement has been made.
Q: Who is directing the next Bond film?
A: Denis Villeneuve, at Amazon MGM Studios.
Q: Who is writing it?
A: Steven Knight.
Q: Is the Pattinson report confirmed?
A: Deadline describes it as unconfirmed, citing insiders.