It looks like casting has nearly turned into mission impossible.
Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult have emerged as potential contenders for the role of James Bond in the upcoming 007 film, according to Variety.
Both actors were among those who have reportedly screen tested for the coveted role.
The race to find the next James Bond has been a competitive one, as Pattinson and Hoult are just two out of many names who have been rumored to have been auditioning.
Page Six previously reported that other finalists included actors Callum Turner, Jack Lowden and Josh O’Connor. Harry Styles and Theo James have also had discussions about the role, according to Variety.
Amazon declined to comment when reached via email by Page Six on Saturday morning.
The new movie, developed by Amazon MGM studios, is slated for a 2028 release. Denis Villeneuve is set to direct the upcoming film.
So far, the plot of the movie has been shrouded in secrecy.
Earlier this week, it was rumored that “The Crown” actor O’Connell had already landed the part, after one of his loose-lipped “Golden Boy” cast members reportedly spilled the beans during a night out at a London pub.
“I bumped into one of Josh’s ‘Golden Boy’ cast mates at The French House,” a source told the Sun Thursday. “They were recognized by a lot of people who asked for selfies and we got chatting in a corner completely by accident.”
“Out of nowhere, and oiled by a few glasses of lager, they blurted out that Josh was the next James Bond,” the source added.
“They said that he had confided in them about getting the role when the cast of ‘Golden Boy’ had celebratory drinks after the play finished its run on Halloween,” the source claimed, adding that the cast member was “clearly very proud” of the actor.
The previous James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, 58, retired from the role after starring in “No Time To Die” in 2021.
He starred in five of the James Bond movies, including the 2012 hit, “Skyfall,” which has been voted as a fan favorite.
While Craig has remained tight-lipped in regards to who the next Bond could be, Pierce Brosnan, who played the iconic spy in four of the feature films between 1995 and 2002, has endorsed Callum Turner for the role.
“I’m just an audience member now. I’m just the man in the street who is eager to see who is going to play this epic role of cinematic history. All the men who are on the list now are actors I admire,” Brosnan, 73, told Vanity Fair in an interview published Tuesday.
He singled out Turner, whom he worked with in “The Only Living Boy in New York,” describing him as “so strong.”
“They all have a voice and a physique and a presence on film. They all have longevity as actors, all of these young men,” Brosnan added.
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