Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult in the race for the new 007
The indiscretion was also reported by The Hollywood Reporter, the first to talk about Pattinson's audition, and by Deadline: the two actors would have participated in the screen tests, the tests in front of the camera, which according to the American press took place in London on the weekend of October 24, together with the other candidates indicated by the specialized newspapers. On Hoult's case the sources do not entirely coincide: Deadline places him among those who took the test, while the THR report mentions him among the names taken into consideration. Their involvement adds two protagonists already accustomed to carrying on their shoulders characters that the public knows before even entering the room. With Bond, of course, the baggage also includes sixty years of expectations.
Pattinson went through the spells of Harry Potter and the sentimental vampires of Twilight, before taking on the mantle of Bruce Wayne in The Batman. In London, where the rehearsals would have been held, The Batman Part II is filming. In his case there is also a direct connection with the director of the next 007: Villeneuve directed him in Dune – Part Three, expected in theaters in December. Professional knowledge that makes the candidacy particularly interesting, without turning it into an investiture.
Hoult, the boy from About a Boy, has instead followed the path that leads from the X-Men to Lex Luthor in Superman. Before naming the names, Deadline had given social media a little riddle: one of the candidates stars in a 2026 Amazon film, the other loves to wear a mask. The mask is that of a bat; the film is How to Rob a Bank, the thriller by David Leitch starring Hoult out in the United States on November 13th. Two different careers, united by familiarity with very recognizable cinematic universes. The next possible change of clothes would require leaving the comic costumes in the wardrobe: Bond, usually, just needs a good tailor and bad encounters.
Josh O'Connor between the voices and the stage
The new update comes after weeks of rumors about Josh O'Connor, indicated by Deadline among the actors admitted to the final screen tests. The protagonist of The Crown and Challengers defined the comparison with 007 as an "incredibly bizarre" moment, one of those in which you pinch yourself, without confirming that you have taken the test. In the meantime he returned to the stage at the Almeida Theater in London with Golden Boy by Clifford Odets, in the role of violinist turned boxer Joe Bonaparte; the show, which closed on October 31st, arrives in cinemas with National Theater Live from November 5th. The curtain has fallen on the theater; the one on selection however still remains open.
Also included in the race are Callum Turner and Jack Lowden. Turner received the appreciation of Pierce Brosnan, who starred with him in The Only Living Boy in New York; Lowden can count on the support of Gary Oldman, his colleague in Slow Horses, who in September said he was convinced that the choice had already been made. These are words of esteem from two actors who know cinematic espionage well, but the decision belongs to the production. Leading the casting is Nina Gold, the same one who chose O'Connor for The Crown and Lowden for Slow Horses.
Bond 26, directed by Villeneuve and released in cinemas
At least behind the camera, the names are official. Denis Villeneuve will direct the 26th chapter of the series inspired by Ian Fleming's character, written by Steven Knight, creator of Peaky Blinders, and produced by Amy Pascal and David Heyman. It will be the first film after No Time to Die, which in 2021 ended Daniel Craig's fifteen years in the role.
Villeneuve said he grew up watching Bond with his father, starting with the films starring Sean Connery. His task will be to accompany the saga in the phase opened by the 2025 agreement which gave Amazon MGM Studios creative control of the 007 intellectual property. According to the American press, the choice of the protagonist could arrive by the end of November. The release hypothesis is 2028, but an official date has not been announced. While waiting for the calendar and the protagonist, the most fascinating problem remains: finding someone who can make us listen to «Bond, James Bond» as if it were the first time.
