Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult have screen-tested to play James Bond. The two British actors are late entries in the search for the star of the first 007 film since Daniel Craig left the role.
Screen tests began two weeks ago. The field already included Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor and Jack Lowden, long rumored as top contenders. Harry Styles has also had discussions about the part, and Theo James, 41, has not been ruled out.
Amazon declined to comment on the casting rumors, and no official announcement has been made.
Pattinson may hold an edge with the director. He stars in Denis Villeneuve's upcoming "Dune: Part Three," which opens Dec. 18. Amazon MGM Studios chose Villeneuve last year to direct the next Bond film, with "Peaky Blinders" creator Steven Knight hired to write the script.
Pattinson also brings experience with big franchises. He plays Batman for DC Studios, appeared in the "Twilight" and "Harry Potter" series, and is back at work as Bruce Wayne in "The Batman: Part 2," which is set to resume production in London.
Hoult plays Lex Luthor in DC's Superman films and starred in the 2010s "X-Men" prequel trilogy. He already has ties to the studio behind Bond: his next film, Amazon MGM Studios' "How to Rob a Bank," reaches theaters on Nov. 13.
The casting carries high stakes. The film will be the first since longtime stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handed full creative control to the studio, and producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have made getting Bond 26 off the ground a top priority. Amazon wants to build a universe of programming around the 64-year-old franchise.
Former Bond actors and their peers have weighed in. Pierce Brosnan, who played 007 in the 1990s, recently endorsed Turner, while Gary Oldman backed Lowden, his "Slow Horses" co-star, and claimed the next Bond has already been picked.
