Robert Pattinson as James Bond: Five Thoughts on the Mystery Candidate Report

The headline doing the rounds is that Robert Pattinson is the mystery candidate for James Bond. What a headline. It isn't a done deal, but I have five quick thoughts on it, including what might still get in the way.

The news dropped late at night, which Hollywood loves to do. Things could move quickly from here. This could be done within days, because Hollywood moves fast.

Robert Pattinson may be looking for a lifeline after the slow Batman movies

My first thought is that it took too long to make these Batman movies. I understand that was because of a very unfortunate personal situation for Matt Reeves. It is what it is. But Robert Pattinson has to look out for himself, and I think he's looking for a lifeline.

I think he's worried he's going to age out of the role, and I think part of him feels he already has. He makes many comments about that, and I think he's sensitive to it. He's also never going to be the only Batman. He never has been and he never will be, because everyone is wondering who James Gunn is going to cast. James Bond is different. You can play Bond for a very long time. Look at Daniel Craig.

Casting an established star as James Bond breaks from tradition

My second thought is the obvious question: is it weird to cast an established star as Bond? It has always been a relative unknown or a newcomer, so this is a break from tradition.

Still, I think you need that kind of star power to pull what is, at this point, a somewhat antiquated idea into today. And I think Robert Pattinson can do that.

Robert Pattinson is loved by almost every audience

That leads to my third thought. Robert Pattinson is in a very special place right now, where he's loved by almost everyone. Women love him from his Twilight days. Men love him because he's Batman. Traditionalists love him, and so do people who are very forward thinking.

I think nobody would be upset with Robert Pattinson as James Bond, and that's a real plus.

Why I don't think Robert Pattinson would be overexposed as Bond

My fourth thought is whether he would be overexposed. This has been a big year for him. It's also been an amazing year, with the perfect triangulation of movies, though it's been more than three of them.

But I think you have to remember this movie won't come out until 2028 at the earliest. He does Batman, which he's doing now. Then he does nothing but Bond. By the time the Bond movie comes out, he'll seem fresh again. So I don't think he would be overexposed.

The James Bond deal isn't done, and two things could hold it up

Finally, remember that this is not a done deal. The only two things I can think of that could hold it up are, first, the concern about casting an established star and breaking from tradition, and second, how much he's going to ask for.

On the money, remember that Amazon paid a billion dollars for Bond to get it away from the Broccolis. They're not going to blink at paying someone. They also want to protect that investment.