The Batman star reportedly joins Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor and Nicholas Hoult in the casting race for director Denis Villeneuve’s upcoming James Bond film.
Robert Pattinson has reportedly screen tested for the role of James Bond, joining a group of prominent British actors competing to become the next 007. The 40-year-old star of The Batman participated in auditions in London in late October 2026, as Amazon MGM Studios moves closer to selecting Daniel Craig’s replacement.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported Pattinson’s involvement on November 6, citing sources familiar with the casting process. TheWrap also confirmed through its own reporting that Pattinson had tested for the role, although Amazon MGM Studios declined to comment.
Pattinson is among several actors linked to the closely watched casting search. Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor have reportedly participated in the final selection process, while Nicholas Hoult has also emerged as a candidate.
No actor has officially been cast as James Bond, and the studio has not announced when it will make its decision. The reported auditions represent an important development for the franchise, which has been preparing for a new leading man since Craig’s departure.
Robert Pattinson Joins the Bond Casting Race
Pattinson reportedly completed his screen test during the weekend of October 24 in London. The auditions followed several months of casting discussions involving Amazon MGM Studios, the film’s producers and director Denis Villeneuve.
TheWrap reported on October 22 that Turner, Lowden and O’Connor were among the actors offered final screen tests. Those auditions were scheduled to begin October 23 and continue into the following week.
Pattinson’s involvement adds an established international star to a group of candidates whose careers have developed across television and independent cinema. His experience leading a major Hollywood franchise could be an important consideration as Amazon prepares to introduce a new version of Bond.
Screen tests give filmmakers an opportunity to evaluate actors performing scenes on camera. For a character such as James Bond, the process can involve dialogue, physical movement and an assessment of how an actor carries the role.
Auditioning does not guarantee an offer or indicate that a performer has become the preferred candidate. The studio has not publicly disclosed the results of the latest tests or confirmed the number of actors still under consideration.
Nicholas Hoult Also Linked to the Role
Nicholas Hoult has also reportedly joined the Bond casting process, creating an unusual parallel with Pattinson’s earlier career. Both actors previously competed for the title role in director Matt Reeves’ The Batman, released in 2022.
Pattinson ultimately secured the role of Bruce Wayne, while Hoult continued building his career through independent films and major studio productions. Hoult later portrayed Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman, released in 2025.
Their reported involvement in the Bond auditions brings the two actors into consideration for another internationally recognized character. However, reports have differed over which candidates completed final screen tests and how the shortlist was organized.
Other names receiving attention include Turner, known for The Boys in the Boat and Masters of the Air, and Lowden, who stars in the espionage television series Slow Horses. O’Connor earned widespread recognition through The Crown and the romantic sports drama Challengers.
Former Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has publicly spoken favorably about Turner as a potential successor. His comments add to the discussion surrounding the casting search, although the former 007 star does not have an announced role in selecting Craig’s replacement.
The range of candidates suggests that filmmakers are considering actors with different screen personas and professional backgrounds. The final choice will establish the direction of the character for the next chapter of the long-running spy franchise.
Denis Villeneuve Will Direct the Next James Bond Film
The upcoming movie, commonly referred to as Bond 26, will be directed by Denis Villeneuve, the filmmaker behind Arrival, Blade Runner 2049 and the Dune series. Amazon MGM Studios officially announced his involvement in June 2025.
Villeneuve has previously described James Bond as an important part of his childhood moviegoing experience. In the studio’s announcement, he expressed enthusiasm about honoring the character’s history while preparing a new cinematic direction.
Steven Knight, creator of the television drama Peaky Blinders, has been hired to write the screenplay. His credits include Eastern Promises, Locke and several television productions.
Amy Pascal and David Heyman will serve as producers, bringing experience from major film franchises. Pascal has worked extensively on the Spider-Man films, while Heyman is closely associated with the Harry Potter series.
Tanya Lapointe is attached as executive producer. Together, the filmmaking team will oversee the first Bond production developed under Amazon MGM Studios’ new creative leadership.
Pattinson already has a professional connection to Villeneuve through Dune: Part Three, which is scheduled for theatrical release on December 18, 2026. Their collaboration could provide the director with firsthand knowledge of Pattinson’s approach to a large-scale production.
There is no verified indication, however, that their previous working relationship gives Pattinson an advantage in the Bond selection process.
Amazon MGM Takes Control of the Franchise
The next James Bond film will be the first since Amazon MGM Studios assumed creative control of the franchise in 2025. The agreement marked a major change after decades of involvement by the Broccoli family.
Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson had overseen the series through Eon Productions, continuing the legacy established by producer Albert R. Broccoli. Under the new arrangement, Amazon MGM holds creative control while the longtime producers remain connected to the franchise through its ownership structure.
Amazon acquired MGM in 2022, bringing the historic film studio and its extensive movie library into the company’s entertainment business. The later Bond agreement gave Amazon a much greater role in determining the future of the character.
The leadership transition means the next film will introduce both a new actor and a different production structure. The studio has emphasized the importance of approaching the casting decision carefully.
During CinemaCon in April 2026, Amazon MGM film executive Courtenay Valenti said the company was handling the search with respect for the Bond legacy. She declined to identify candidates or provide a firm announcement date.
Casting director Nina Gold, whose credits include Game of Thrones, was subsequently confirmed as part of the search for the new leading man.
Pattinson’s Busy Film Schedule Could Be a Factor
Pattinson’s possible involvement raises questions about scheduling because he remains attached to several major film projects. He is returning as Bruce Wayne in The Batman: Part II, with production activity continuing in London.
He has also appeared in The Drama alongside Zendaya and worked with Christopher Nolan on The Odyssey. His recent performances reflect a career that combines established franchise characters with smaller, director-led films.
Taking on James Bond could create additional long-term commitments for Pattinson, depending on the agreement reached with Amazon MGM Studios. Previous Bond actors have typically portrayed the character across multiple films spanning several years.
Craig appeared in five Bond movies beginning with Casino Royale in 2006. His final appearance came in No Time to Die, released in 2021, ending a 15-year period as the British secret agent.
That departure left filmmakers facing the task of introducing a new Bond while maintaining the franchise’s recognizable identity. The character has previously been played by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton and Pierce Brosnan.
The next installment has not received an official theatrical release date. Production has been widely discussed as a possibility for 2027, although Amazon MGM has not confirmed a filming schedule.
For now, Pattinson remains a reported contender rather than the confirmed successor to Craig. The studio’s eventual casting announcement will determine which actor leads the franchise into its first film under Amazon MGM’s new creative control.
IMAGE: Actor Robert Pattinson after the Twilight Saga Film New Moon (Twilight Chapitre 2 Tentation) Photocall at the Crillon Hotel in Paris, France on November 10, 2009.. Photo: Twilight_20091110_Crillon_Hotel_Paris_010.jpg: nicolas genin
derivative work: Teemeah (talk) / Wikimedia, taken 2010-05-03, CC BY-SA 2.0