For almost five years, the question of who will follow Daniel Craig as 007 has been the film world’s longest-running guessing game. Now it finally looks close to an answer, and it comes with a twist nobody had on their bingo card: Robert Pattinson, Batman himself, has reportedly screen-tested for the role. Searches for “possible James Bond actors” have surged in the UK and the US since the news broke, with fans comparing the final names and arguing over who fits the tuxedo best. Here is everything that is confirmed, what is only reported, and when the next James Bond could be announced.
Quick answer: No one has been cast yet. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and Variety, five actors screen-tested for the next James Bond in London in late October 2026: Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, Nicholas Hoult and Robert Pattinson. Deadline’s Justin Kroll says to “expect a decision before Thanksgiving” (26 November). Amazon MGM Studios has declined to comment. Denis Villeneuve is directing from a script by Steven Knight, with filming expected in 2027 and release in 2028.
What happened: Pattinson’s surprise screen test
On Friday, 6 November, The Hollywood Reporter reported, citing multiple sources, that Robert Pattinson had screen-tested to play James Bond. TheWrap reported the same independently. Nicholas Hoult was also named among those tested. Both were late additions to a race that had long centred on three British actors in their mid-thirties: Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor.
The tests reportedly took place in London over the weekend of 24 October. Deadline’s Justin Kroll added on X on 7 November that Pattinson and Hoult were the last names to surface, that O’Connor was an “11th-hour” addition, and that fans should “expect a decision before thanksgiving”. Amazon MGM Studios, which now controls the franchise, declined to comment on the reports.
The news set off a wave of reaction. Forbes argued Pattinson “should be the favorite”, while a Guardian column said the 007 race had “finally” become interesting.
The reported shortlist for the next James Bond
| Actor | Age | Known for | Status (reported) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callum Turner | 36 | Masters of the Air, The Capture | Screen-tested in late October |
| Jack Lowden | 36 | Slow Horses | Screen-tested in late October |
| Josh O’Connor | 36 | The Crown, Challengers, Wake Up Dead Man | Late addition to screen tests |
| Nicholas Hoult | 36 | Superman (Lex Luthor), Nosferatu | Screen-tested, per THR and Deadline |
| Robert Pattinson | 40 | The Batman, Tenet, Mickey 17 | Screen-tested, per THR and TheWrap |
Other names linked to the role over the past year, including Jacob Elordi and Jack O’Connell, were reportedly not part of the latest round of tests. None of the five has been confirmed by Amazon MGM, and casting races can still produce a surprise: Daniel Craig himself was an unexpected pick in 2005.
Why Robert Pattinson changes the race
Pattinson is the biggest star on the list by some distance. He already leads one of Hollywood’s major franchises as Bruce Wayne in Matt Reeves’s The Batman (2022), with The Batman Part II on the way, and he played a slick spy-adjacent operative in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet (2020), a performance fans have long pointed to as a Bond audition in disguise. He also has a part in Dune: Part Three, which links him to Bond director Denis Villeneuve.
There is a neat bit of history with Hoult, too. Hoult was a finalist to play Batman before Reeves chose Pattinson. Hoult then played Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s Superman. If both reached the final stage again, it would be a rematch of one of Hollywood’s best-known casting contests.
The main question mark is age and commitment. At 40, Pattinson would be older than Craig was when he started (Craig was 38 in Casino Royale), and Amazon MGM is reportedly planning a multi-film run. Balancing Batman and Bond schedules would also be a challenge, though not an impossible one.
The case for the other three
- Callum Turner has been an early favourite with many fans, thanks to his lead role in Apple TV’s Masters of the Air.
- Jack Lowden brings spy credentials from Slow Horses, the acclaimed Apple TV series about MI5’s misfits.
- Josh O’Connor has had a run of critically praised roles and was a late but reportedly serious entry.
What is confirmed about Bond 26
While the casting is still rumour, the team behind the camera is not. Amazon MGM took creative control of the franchise in 2025, ending decades of control by the Broccoli family’s Eon Productions.
| Role | Who | Announced |
|---|---|---|
| Studio | Amazon MGM Studios | March 2025 |
| Producers | Amy Pascal and David Heyman | March 2025 |
| Director | Denis Villeneuve (Dune, Blade Runner 2049, Arrival) | June 2025 |
| Writer | Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) | July 2025 |
| Casting search | Confirmed under way by Amazon MGM | May 2026 |
| Filming / release | Expected 2027 / 2028 (not officially dated) | Reported |
Villeneuve has called himself “a die-hard Bond fan” and described the character as “sacred territory”. Knight has said he plans to “write the character, not the actor”. Producer Amy Pascal told Deadline in August that the end of the year was “a good bet” for casting news, adding: “We are being really, really methodical.”
Why the next James Bond is trending now
Three things pushed this story to the top of Google Trends. First, the Pattinson report was a genuine surprise, and his huge global fan base, from Twilight to The Batman, amplified it instantly. Second, Kroll’s “before Thanksgiving” timeline suggests the answer could come within weeks, not months. Third, the role itself is one of the most valuable in film. The Bond films have run since 1962, and the next actor could define the series for a decade or more.
There are also unconfirmed claims in circulation. The Sun has claimed O’Connor will be the new 007, while Showbiz 411 has claimed Turner has the part. Neither has been backed up by the trade publications or by Amazon MGM, so treat them with caution.
What happens next
- The decision: if Kroll is right, Amazon MGM could choose its Bond before Thanksgiving on 26 November. An announcement may follow the decision and contract talks.
- The reveal: Amazon MGM has not said how it will unveil the actor. Some commentators expect a Prime Video tie-in, but that is speculation.
- The film: production is expected to start in 2027, with release in 2028. No title has been announced.
Casting rumours like this are a big part of modern fandom. If you enjoy following which stars return and which do not, see our report on whether Tom Selleck will appear on Boston Blue.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the next James Bond?
No actor has been officially announced. Callum Turner, Jack Lowden, Josh O’Connor, Nicholas Hoult and Robert Pattinson reportedly screen-tested in London in late October 2026.
Did Robert Pattinson audition for James Bond?
According to The Hollywood Reporter and TheWrap, yes, he screen-tested for the role. Amazon MGM has declined to comment, and he has not been cast.
When will the new James Bond be announced?
There is no official date. Deadline’s Justin Kroll says a decision is expected before Thanksgiving (26 November 2026), and producer Amy Pascal has said the end of the year is “a good bet”.
Who is directing Bond 26?
Denis Villeneuve, director of the Dune films and Blade Runner 2049, with a screenplay by Steven Knight. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing for Amazon MGM Studios.
When will the next Bond film come out?
No release date has been set. Reports suggest filming in 2027 and a release in 2028.
Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline (Justin Kroll), TheWrap, Variety, Forbes, The Guardian, Yahoo Entertainment, The James Bond Dossier, Fiction Horizon, Google Trends.
