James Bond Shocker: Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult Late Contenders for 007 After Auditioning for Denis Villeneuve

As James Bond casting rumors heat up, a couple more A-list actors have entered the mix: Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult were among the stars who screen-tested to play the new 007.

Both British actors certainly have the acting pedigree to play the suave spy, taking up the mantle after Daniel Craig’s 15-year run. They also have a keen awareness of what it takes to work in major franchise fare: Pattinson stars as Batman for DC Studios and is an alum of both the “Twilight” and “Harry Potter” franchises; meanwhile, Hoult plays Lex Luthor in DC’s Superman movies and starred in the 2010s “X-Men” prequel trilogy. He next stars in the Amazon MGM Studios movie “How to Rob a Bank,” in theaters next Friday, Nov. 13. Pattinson also has the Denis Villeneuve factor on his side, after starring 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, nearly every 30-something British actor’s name has been bandied about in the U.K. and U.S. press, with rumored top contenders including Callum Turner, Josh O’Connor and Jack Lowden. Variety has learned that Harry Styles has had discussions about the part, and Theo James also hasn’t been ruled out.

Pierce Brosnan, the Bond of the 90s, recently gave his stamp of approval to Turner, while Gary Oldman threw his weight behind Lowden, his “Slow Horses” co-star. (Oldman also claimed that the next James Bond has already been picked, but no official casting announcement has been made.)

Amazon declined to comment on the casting rumors.