Robert Pattinson, Nicholas Hoult Among Late James Bond Contenders

Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult are reportedly among the actors who screen-tested for the role of James Bond. Their involvement has been kept under-the-radar, but both bring major franchise experience. Pattinson stars as Batman for DC Studios and appeared in Twilight and Harry Potter. Hoult plays Lex Luthor in DC’s Superman films and starred in the X-Men prequel trilogy as Beast. Other reported contenders include Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor, Jack Lowden, Harry Styles, and Theo James. Previous Bond actor Pierce Brosnan has endorsed Turner, while Gary Oldman backed his Slow Horses co-star Lowden, teasing that the next Bond may have already been chosen. Dune and Sicario filmmaker Denis Villeneuve will direct the next film, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing the script.