A new Bond rises, a charismatic villain lurks – 007 returns to the gaming stage in 2026.
A warm desert wind sweeps across the endless dunes of Mauritania as James Bond dangles headfirst over a pit of hungry crocodiles. The sun glints off the reptiles’ scaly backs, and a booming laugh echoes through the scene. Anyone introduced to the Bond universe in such a striking way immediately knows: a new adversary has entered the stage. And that opponent is none other than Lenny Kravitz – yes, the rockstar and four-time Grammy winner – taking on the role of the enigmatic supervillain Bawma.
Kravitz As Bond Villain
The reveal came in an unusual way: an accidentally released trailer on the official 007 account on X (formerly Twitter) caused a stir, even before the Game Awards 2025 were set to shine a spotlight on the game. Although quickly deleted, fans had already captured screenshots and clips. The news spread fast: Lenny Kravitz will not only lend his voice to Bawma, but thanks to cutting-edge performance-capture technology, his face, gestures, and expressions will be fully brought to life in the digital supervillain.
Bawma is more than just a villain. According to his character description, he is “the largest black-market dealer in the Western Hemisphere,” a man who built his own empire, Aleph, from nothing. Charismatic, unpredictable, and ruthless, Bawma poses a challenge to Bond both physically and psychologically. The leaked trailer offers a first glimpse of his theatrical schemes and shows that classic Bond-style torture scenes aren’t missing: Bond, trapped in a deadly situation, embodies the iconic mix of danger and glamour the film series is known for.
Star-Studded Cast Guides Bond Into Adventure
But Kravitz isn’t alone on stage. Patrick Gibson takes on the role of the young James Bond, who hasn’t yet become the seasoned 00-agent and is still honing his skills. Lennie James appears as mentor John Greenway, while Gemma Chan plays the tactically brilliant Selina Tan, introducing new strategies for the MI6. Of course, classic characters aren’t left out: M, Q, Miss Moneypenny, and the new Miss Roth round out the star-studded cast.
Behind 007 First Light is IO Interactive, the developers of the Hitman series, renowned for their stylish agent gameplay. Players can expect a blend of stealth, spectacular action sequences, clever gadgets, and moral choices – all seasoned with Bond’s signature style.
Bond Returns – Release Date And Prices Announced
After more than a decade, James Bond is finally returning to the gaming world. 007 First Light launches on March 27, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2. Fans can expect to pay around $69.99 for the standard edition, approximately $79.99 for the Deluxe edition, while a Collector’s Edition could cost up to $299.99 – including exclusive in-game items and physical collectibles.
With Lenny Kravitz as the charismatic supervillain, a fresh cast, and an original storyline, the game promises a truly unique Bond experience – thrilling, glamorous, and unexpectedly brutal. If your heart is already racing, brace yourself: 007 First Light could be the next big highlight in the world of spy games.
What do you think about the game? Planning to play it? Share your thoughts in the comments!