Pattinson and Hoult Screen-Test for James Bond in London
Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult participated in screen tests for the lead role in Bond 26 in London over the weekend of October 24, 2026. Film industry observers and cinema audiences watched the casting race widen as Amazon MGM Studios evaluates potential successors to Daniel Craig while declining to confirm an official choice.
Existing Franchise Commitments Present Scheduling Hurdles for Top Contenders
Pattinson screen-tested in London while in production for *The Batman Part II*, presenting potential scheduling friction between his role as Batman and the 007 franchise. Hoult faces similar calendar demands through his commitment to play Lex Luthor in DC’s *Man of Tomorrow*, scheduled for 2027. Both actors join a contender pool that includes Scottish BAFTA winner Jack Lowden and Callum Turner. Trade reporting differs on the timeline, with *Deadline* reporter Justin Kroll placing Pattinson and Hoult in the initial screen-test group, while *The Hollywood Reporter* framed them as later entrants to the London tests. Pattinson also recently worked with Bond 26 director Denis Villeneuve on *Dune: Part Three*, scheduled for release on December 18.
The audition process marks the franchise’s first active screen tests since Daniel Craig concluded his tenure as 007.
