British actor Nicholas Hoult has moved his wife and four children from California to north London, about an hour's drive from Pinewood Studios, the longtime home of the James Bond franchise. The relocation comes as speculation grows that he could replace Daniel Craig as 007.
On Thursday, 12 November, the Superman actor confirmed his family's relocation during an appearance on Jake Shane's Therapuss podcast, days after reports claimed he had screen-tested for the next Bond film. Hoult revealed that his new London routine includes walking around 20,000 steps a day, largely thanks to school runs with his children.
A New Life in North London
'We're in London now. Since we moved to London, I've been doing 20,000 steps a day,' Hoult said. He explained that much of that walking comes from 'just doing the school run and stuff'. He did not say when the family moved or suggest the decision had anything to do with the Bond role.
Asked which football team he followed, Hoult said he grew up near Reading but has since embraced Arsenal. 'We're living in North London,' he explained, before recalling his sons asking which club to support. His answer was simple: 'You guys can support Arsenal.'
His wife, American model Bryana Holly, and their children had previously been based in California. Earlier this month, Hoult confirmed he and Holly are now parents of four after his How to Rob a Bank co-star Pete Davidson mentioned their twins during an interview. The couple have generally kept their family life out of the spotlight, making the London update a rare look at their routine.
Is Nicholas Hoult the Next James Bond?
Hoult, 36, and Robert Pattinson were reported on Monday, 9 November, to have screen-tested for the role. Callum Turner, Josh O'Connor and Jack Lowden have also been named among the possible successors to Craig, who made his final appearance as 007 in 2021's No Time to Die. An audition does not mean an offer, and there has been no official Bond casting announcement.
Much of the attention on Hoult's move comes from Pinewood's history with the franchise. The Buckinghamshire studio says 23 of the 25 official Bond films were shot there, including No Time to Die. It also houses the 007 Stage, originally built for 1977's The Spy Who Loved Me. But no filming location for the next Bond film has been publicly confirmed, so his new postcode is not evidence of a casting deal.
A New Bond Era Takes Shape
Denis Villeneuve, the director behind Dune and Arrival, is directing the 26th film, with Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight writing its screenplay. Amy Pascal and David Heyman are producing for Amazon MGM Studios, which took creative control of the franchise in 2025. The project is set to introduce the first new cinematic Bond since Craig's departure.
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At the LACMA Art+Film Gala in Los Angeles on Saturday, 7 November, Villeneuve avoided discussing specific candidates. 'I should not comment right now because every word I'm going to say is going to be scrutinised,' he said, adding that he was 'having a great time'. The filmmaker's reluctance to name names has left fans waiting for confirmation from the studio.
Pascal suggested in August that the end of 2026 was 'a good bet' for news about the next Bond. 'We are being really, really methodical,' she said, acknowledging that Craig would be difficult to follow. With no lead actor, filming start or release date officially announced, Hoult's London move is the latest development in his personal life, not a confirmed step towards a licence to kill.
