‘First American James Bond?’ Pete Davidson floats the idea, then names his 007 pick
Pete Davidson has unveiled his choice for the next 007 — and he’s backing an American for the job.
On the carpet at the New York premiere of How to Rob a Bank, a 007 question turned into a quick gag — and then an earnest endorsement — when Pete Davidson fielded it with Nicholas Hoult standing right beside him. Speaking to E! News, Davidson cracked a one-liner and immediately pivoted to boosting his co-star for the tux.
“It’s going to be me. Plot twist, I will be the first American James Bond, ” he said to E! News.
“No, if anyone should get it, it’s this guy next to me. We’re all rooting for him. He’s the best guy for the job.”
The joke landed because the rumor mill isn’t hypothetical. Multiple outlets — including Deadline, Variety and CNN — have reported that screen tests for Bond 26 have taken place at Amazon MGM, with Hoult among the names in the mix. A decision has been rumored for late fall, though nothing is confirmed and the studio hasn’t commented.
- Nicholas Hoult — reportedly tested
- Robert Pattinson — reportedly tested
- Callum Turner — reportedly tested
- Jack Lowden — reportedly tested
- Josh O’Connor — reportedly tested
Hoult’s cheer section
Support isn’t just coming from comedians on a red carpet. At the same premiere, director David Leitch told Variety he considers Hoult one of the finest actors of his generation and said he’d make an “amazing” Bond.
Back in May, Frank Grillo weighed in while wrapping Man of Tomorrow, arguing that skipping Hoult would be a major mistake. Fans have been campaigning online for years; one recent Celebrity Post poll put support for Hoult at 48%.
Why he fits
Hoult is British, 36, and around 6'2", with an on-screen gearshift that goes from the razor wit of The Great to the unsettling chill of The Menu and the grease-and-gravel physicality of Mad Max: Fury Road. He’s also got franchise mileage — Beast in X-Men and Lex Luthor in Superman — to match the demands of 007.
As for the movie that brought Davidson and Hoult to the same carpet, How to Rob a Bank opens in theaters November 13, 2026 .