More confusion arises as two new contenders are added to James Bond shortlist

Who will be the new James Bond? The answer to this question seems to be getting further and further away. 

Just as we thought we had the final contenders for the new 007 last week, the internet’s curiosity was stirred once again on Sunday as two new players entered the arena.

According to Variety, British actors Robert Pattinson and Nicholas Hoult are now being considered for the role after auditioning for ‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve, who will sit behind the camera for the new Bond installments.

Before Sunday, the shortlist consisted of Scottish actor Jack Lowden (‘Slow Horses’, ‘Mary Queen of Scots’), ‘Mr. Dua Lipa’ Callum Turner (‘Masters of the Air’), Josh O’Connor (‘Wake Up Dead Man’, ‘Challengers’), and Jack O’Connell (‘Sinners’, ‘28 Years Later’).

Two interesting choices

Pattinson and Hoult both represent intriguing choices for the role of James Bond, as the two have proved themselves to be among the most chameleon-like actors working at the moment. 

Both stars have played heroes and villains, dramatic and unserious roles. 

Pattinson in particular has jumped among very different types of characters, delivering a convincing performance in every single project.

He starred as the ‘Bond-inspired’ agent Neil in Christopher Nolan’s 2020 blockbuster ‘Tenet’, then played an aloof clone in Bong Joon Ho’s ‘Mickey 17’. 

Creepy dramas

He hasn’t shied away from romantic – albeit creepy – dramas, either, starring in ‘Die My Love’ first and ‘The Drama’ later. 

This year, he blessed the screen with his portrayal of TV host Chris Hansen in ‘Primetime’.

Hoult would also have the skills to play Bond – he can bring that certain cold, calculating aura to the character that is often found in his performances. 

Hoult is also very good in more comedic roles, as proved in dark comedies such as ‘The Menu’, ‘Kill Your Friends’, and ‘Warm Bodies’. 

This talent could bring a fresh side to a potential Bond played by the English actor.  

The ‘villain’ possibility

Fans also suggested Pattinson and Hoult could be in the running not to play Bond, but the villain for this feature.

“They might be auditioning for the villain. They are too famous for Bond. Both have been killing it in their villain era lately,” a Reddit user said.

“Pattinson would be a great Bond villain,” another user commented.

“Please give him an eyepatch and an accent.”

Pattinson has recently played a villain in Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’, where he portrayed Antinous, a sleazy rival to Matt Damon’s Odysseus for Penelope’s love.

Hoult, on the other hand, has a long history of playing ‘the bad guy’ in movies.  

Superman role

He is currently portraying the role of Lex Luthor in James Gunn’s ‘Superman’ franchise. 

Before then, he played an assassin in Taylor Sheridan’s 2021 thriller ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’, also starring Angelina Jolie. 

He also starred as Peter III of Russia in Hulu’s dark comedy TV series ‘The Great’, in which he showcased his evil side as Catherine the Great of Russia (Elle Fanning)’s terrible – but incredibly funny – husband. 

“Nicholas Hoult would be a great villain, rather,” another user wrote. 

“Huzzah!”, someone replied, quoting Hoult’s famous catchphrase in ‘The Great’.

The race is still on, though, and according to Deadline, a decision will most likely be announced by the end of November.

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