Danny Boyle thinks Robert Pattinson should be the next James Bond

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Robert Pattinson has spent his post-TWILIGHT years tackling small drama and thrillers and proving himself one of the most impressive leading men around. All that hard work has landed him some of the biggest projects of his career, like Christopher Nolan’s TENET and the role of Bruce Wayne/Batman for the comic book character’s next movie. Now director Danny Boyle thinks Pattinson should add one more huge role to his dance card if he gets the chance, saying that he thinks the actor would make for a great James Bond.

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While promoting his new movie YESTERDAY, Boyle spoke more about his exiting the upcoming BOND 25 with The Guardian and said that while watching the new movie HIGH LIFE that he was taken by Pattinson’s work in the lead role.

“And it was so bizarre, because I was sitting there thinking: ‘Oh my God, they should get him to be the next Bond,’” Boyle said. When asked if Pattinson was too young for the role at age 33, Boyle said, “No, no, he must be in his 30s. How old was Connery? He’s ready now.”

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Born in 1930, Connery was 32 when his first Bond movie, DR. NO, came out in theaters in 1962 (and was 30 when he was cast), so Pattinson would, in fact, be older than Connery was when he started taking on the role. But, as perfect of casting as that would be and a great opportunity for Pattinson, the actor has some commitments in place at the moment. A few weeks ago, he was confirmed to be the new Batman for Matt Reeves’ upcoming solo movie, centering on a younger Batman still trying to figure out his place as a vigilante. It wouldn’t be impossible for him to do both roles, but Pattinson has been making a big name for himself with smaller movies that he genuinely seems to love doing and bouncing between both of those major series may not be something he’s down for.

For now, Daniel Craig is still James Bond, and despite what looks like a nasty ankle injury he's hard at work on BOND 25 with director Cary Joji Fukunaga and a cast that includes Naomi Harris, Ralph Fiennes, Ben Whishaw, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux and more. 

As is the case with all these casting discussions this is just a fun “What If” scenario that is very unlikely to actually take flight. Some people have been looking to actors like Idris Elba and Richard Madden as the possible future of Bond, and yes, Pattinson’s name is fun to throw in there as well, what with his ability to channel dramatic intensity and sly charm. That being said, how would it even be possible to go from the awe of the Batmobile to [insert name of random Italian sports car here]?

BOND 25 is in theaters April 8, 2020 and YESTERDAY is in theaters June 28.