Robert Pattinson James Bond screen test: Batman star in the 007 race

Robert Pattinson has screen tested to play James Bond, The Hollywood Reporter said on Friday, citing multiple sources. The 40-year-old star of The Batman joins a shortlist that, according to the same report, already includes Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor. Amazon, which now controls the Bond films, had no comment.

The news sent his name into Google’s top searches in the UK overnight. Nothing is decided: a screen test means he is being considered, not that he has the part.

When and where did he test?

The tests reportedly took place in London over the weekend of 24 October, The Hollywood Reporter said. Pattinson was already in the city filming The Batman Part II. He also has a link to the new Bond director, Denis Villeneuve: the two worked together on the upcoming Dune: Part Three, and some film sites report that Villeneuve invited him to test. That last detail is not confirmed by Amazon or Pattinson’s team.

Who else is in the race?

• Callum Turner, 36, the British actor from Masters of the Air, long tipped by fans.
• Jack Lowden, 36, the Scottish star of Slow Horses.
• Josh O’Connor, 36, who played Prince Charles in The Crown.
• Several film sites also name Nicholas Hoult, though The Hollywood Reporter’s list did not.

This will be the first Bond film made under Amazon, which took creative control from the Broccoli family, the franchise’s long-time producers, in 2025. Villeneuve is directing and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight is writing, according to earlier announcements.

Could the Batman be Bond?

Pattinson would be an unusual pick. He is better known for darker, stranger roles in smaller films (Good Time, The Lighthouse) than for the polished charm of Daniel Craig or Pierce Brosnan, and his Batman contract would make scheduling tricky. Fans online are split between those who love the idea of a moodier 007 and those who think he is too busy, and too famous as another hero, to fit.

What to watch next: Amazon has not given a date for announcing its Bond, so expect more names and more screen-test reports before any official word.