As rumors about James Bond casting intensify, a few other A-list actors have entered the mix: Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult were among the stars who tested to play the new 007.
The two British actors certainly have the acting pedigree to play the suave spy, reprising the role after a 15-year career from Daniel Craig. They’re also keenly aware of what it takes to work in a major franchise: Pattinson plays Batman for DC Studios and is an alum of the “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” franchises; Meanwhile, Hoult plays Lex Luthor in DC’s Superman films and starred in 2010’s “X-Men” prequel trilogy. He will next star in the Amazon MGM Studios film “How to Rob a Bank,” which hits theaters on November 13. Pattinson also has factor Denis Villeneuve on his side, having previously starred in the filmmaker’s upcoming epic “Dune: Part Three.”
Last year, Amazon MGM Studios tapped Villeneuve as the franchise’s next director, with “Peaky Blinders” creator Steven Knight hired to write the script. Getting Bond 26 off the ground has been a top priority for the property’s new stewards, producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman.
Since then, almost every name of British actor in his thirties has been bandied about in the British and American press, with the main contenders being Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden. Variety has learned that Harry Styles has had discussions about the role, and Theo James, 41, hasn’t been ruled out either.
Pierce Brosnan, the ’90s Bond, recently gave Turner his endorsement, while Gary Oldman endorsed Lowden, his “Slow Horses” co-star. (Oldman also claimed that the next James Bond has already been cast, but no official casting announcement has been made.)
Amazon declined to comment on the casting rumors.
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