Pattinson screen tests for Bond
The 40-year-old actor joined Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Josh O'Connor for recent auditions in London.
By Simon Bennett ·
Robert Pattinson has been confirmed as a candidate for the role of James Bond. Multiple sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that the 40-year-old actor participated in screen tests alongside Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, and Josh O'Connor. These auditions took place during the weekend of Oct. 24. Nicholas Hoult has also emerged as a potential contender, joining the group of actors previously identified in the search.
Industry expectations often favor less recognizable faces for the 007 role, yet Pattinson is one of the most prominent actors of his generation. He currently serves as the face of DC Studios' Batman franchise. His presence in the mix challenges the standard practice of selecting a relative unknown to avoid typecasting or celebrity baggage associated with the character.
Pattinson's recent filmography includes collaborations with directors such as Christopher Nolan, Robert Eggers, and the Safdie brothers. He notably worked with Denis Villeneuve on the upcoming Dune: Part 3, which is scheduled for release on Dec. 18. Reports indicate that the two men developed a strong working relationship during that production. Pattinson is also currently filming The Batman Part II in London, the same city where the Bond screen tests occurred.
His current year includes a key role in Nolan's The Odyssey, a co-lead position in the A24 film The Drama, and a starring role in the well-regarded A24 movie Primetime. Amazon, which now controls the franchise, had no comment on the specific testing process. The studio acquired creative rights from the Broccoli family in February 2025. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing the next installment. Heyman previously produced the Harry Potter films, a franchise in which Pattinson appeared in the 2005 entry Goblet of Fire.
The casting search marks the first Bond movie under Amazon's full control. This shift follows Daniel Craig's retirement after five films, the last of which was No Time to Die in 2021. Craig was selected in October 2005, making the current search 21 years later than his initial appointment. His tenure included Skyfall, the only Bond film to reach the $1 billion mark at the box office. The next step in the process remains undefined as producers review the test footage.
