- New 007 First Light trailer shown at The Game Awards 2025 focusing on the villain Bawma.
- Lenny Kravitz makes his video game debut playing Bawma, leader of an arms trafficking network and "Pirate King" of Aleph.
- IO Interactive game with an action and stealth focus, a mix of Hitman and cinematic adventure.
- Scheduled for release on March 27, 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC, with pre-orders now available.
The new 007 First Light trailer The trailer shown at The Game Awards 2025 has focused, this time, on the enemy that the young James Bond will have to defeat. The trailer not only showcases new scenes from the campaign, but also introduces the main villain and clarifies the tone of this action-adventure game developed by IO Interactive, the studio known for the Hitman series.
Beyond the nods to the classic James Bond universe, the video focuses on Bawma and the city of AlephThe trailer combines moments of pure spectacle—including a sequence with Bond tied up over a crocodile pit—with a look at the antagonist's motivations, foreshadowing a plot of conspiracies, arms trafficking, and power games on an international scale.
A trailer focused on Bawma, the new James Bond villain
The new trailer shows Bawma as a charismatic and megalomaniacal villainHe addresses the camera from a luxurious armchair, in the purest classic style of the saga. Through his monologues, he boasts of having built Aleph "from nothing" and of having turned it into his own kingdom, controlling every corner as if it were an extension of his body.
The video reinforces this idea with several key phrases in which Bawma explains that he built Aleph with his will, his blood, and his entire being, and that Listen to every whisper from every corner of the cityThat speech, accompanied by shots of the city and the surveillance network that surrounds it, fits with the image of a villain obsessed with total control and security, very much in line with the technological conspiracies that the Bond franchise usually explores.
Lenny Kravitz makes his video game debut as Bawma
One of the most talked-about points of the trailer is the confirmation that Lenny Kravitz plays BawmaThe musician, a multiple Grammy Award winner with previous experience in film—including roles in The Hunger Games, Precious o The Butler— brings to life for the first time a video game character by lending both his voice and his image.
According to the official description, Bawma is the biggest black market trafficker in the Western Hemisphere He is known as the "Pirate King," at the head of a powerful arms trafficking network. In the game, his character promises to operate in that gray area between ally and enemy, blurring the traditional lines between sides and complicating Bond's mission.
Aleph, a city built in the image of its villain
The trailer places much of the action in Aleph, a fictional city located in MauritaniaBawma claims he built it of his own volition, even describing it as "an extension of his body." The setting suggests an enclave that combines luxury, high technology, and an omnipresent surveillance network.
In several sequences it is hinted that Aleph will be one of the main settings of the gamewith Bawma pulling the strings from the shadows. The idea of an entire city controlled by the villain fits well with IO Interactive's previous experience, accustomed as they are to designing complex levels full of opportunities for stealth and infiltration in the Hitman series.
The classic death trap: Bond over a pit of crocodiles
Among the scenes that are generating the most discussion is the sequence in which James Bond appears tied up over a crocodile pitSurrounded by Bawma's henchmen, the villain, far from opting for a quick solution, decides to savor the moment, calmly addressing the animals while speaking to them in a mocking tone.
This scene, which directly evokes the most exaggerated situations in classic films, reinforces the intention of the game. maintain the essence of the most pulp 007with impossible traps and extravagant plans. At the same time, it serves to show Bawma's unpredictable nature, preferring to humiliate his enemy rather than eliminate him without a spectacle.
Plot: The Origins of Agent 007
007 First Light presents itself as an origin story for James Bond, focused on his first steps within MI6. The protagonist is a young Bond, still in training, who is offered the opportunity to join the newly reactivated 00 program, the elite of agents with a license to kill.
During a mission intended to neutralize a rogue agent, A tragedy completely alters the course of the operation and forces Bond to collaborate with his mentor, John Greenway, to unravel a large-scale plot that threatens national security. The campaign promises a blend of espionage, internal betrayals, and a more intimate look at the character's evolution into the agent the public knows.
An international cast for a younger Bond
The game features a large cast headlined by Patrick Gibson as James BondKnown for television work such as Dexter: Original SinGibson takes on the responsibility of portraying a 007 different from the film versions, designed specifically for this new universe of video games.
Alongside him appear Alastair Mackenzie as Q, in charge of gadgets and technological support; Gemma Chan playing Dr. Selina Tan; Kiera Lester in the role of Moneypenny; Lennie james as John Greenway, Bond's mentor; Nicholas Prasad embodying Marcus Singh; Noémie Nakai in the role of Ms. Roth; and Priyanga Burford as M, head of MI6. This cast seeks to offer a recognizable but renewed approach to the classic characters of the saga.
A Bond faithful to Ian Fleming, but with previously unseen details
IO Interactive is developing the project in collaboration with Amazon MGM Studios, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Eon Productionswith the aim of respecting the literary and cinematic canon while introducing an original plot. Among the curious details that have been mentioned is the inclusion of an eight-centimeter scar on Bond's cheek, a trait described in Ian Fleming's novels but rarely depicted on screen.
The intention of the study is to combine elements familiar to fans of the franchise with new nuances in the protagonist's personality and past, taking advantage of the video game format to delve into aspects that are usually relegated to the background in film.
Gameplay: somewhere between Hitman and cinematic adventure
In terms of gameplay, 007 First Light is defined as a linear third-person action adventureInstead of opting for an open world, IO Interactive is betting on meticulously designed missions, with alternative routes and possibilities to approach objectives in different ways.
The study combines intense action sections with moments of stealthInfiltration and spectacular chases by land, sea, and air. The use of typical Bond gadgets, disguises, and meticulous planning of every move are reminiscent of Hitman's DNA, but integrated into a more guided and cinematic narrative, with an emphasis on large-scale scenes.
Action, stealth, and gadgets at the service of espionage
Among the skills shown and described is the possibility that Bond scales surfaces, disguises himself, creates decoys and make use of both melee combat and firearms. Q's presence in the story suggests a significant role for technology, with devices designed to facilitate infiltration and deception.
Some highlighted sequences mentioned by specialized media, such as a escape in an Aston Martin DBS Missions like the hijacking of a cargo plane, or the assault on a cargo plane, point to a style very close to action films. IO Interactive intends for each mission to offer spectacular moments without sacrificing the strategic freedom that characterizes its previous works.
Game release, platforms and pre-order
The departure date of 007 First Light It is set for March 27, 2026The game will be published in PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PCIt will be available in both physical and digital formats. On PC, it will be available through platforms such as Steam, the Microsoft Store, and the Epic Games Store.
reserves They are now open on all platformsAnd some editions include additional incentives. The Deluxe version, for example, will offer one day of early access, allowing you to start playing on March 26. Xbox Play Anywhere compatibility has been confirmed within the Xbox ecosystem, meaning a single purchase will grant access to the game on console, PC, and the cloud.
Presence at The Game Awards and expectations in the sector
The trailer for Bawma was shown at the gala of The Game Awards 2025, one of the most important showcases in the video game industry. At an event where awards are given out and future releases are revealed, The appearance of 007 First Light served as one of the highlights of the evening., along with other featured announcements.
The fact that IO Interactive chose this setting to introduce the main villain This reflects the importance given to the project within the 2026 launch schedule. The combination of a recognizable brand, a prestigious studio, and the addition of a media personality like Lenny Kravitz is generating a lot of interest both in Europe and in other markets.
A project conceived as a new stage for Bond in video games
With the backing of the main companies responsible for the license and the experience accumulated with Hitman, IO Interactive proposes 007 First Light as the beginning of a new era for James Bond in the interactive mediumThe studio's intention is to build a trilogy set in the character's early days, combining respect for the original spirit with creative freedom.
Between the promise of a campaign focused on the agent's origins, the presence of a villain as distinctive as Bawma, and a playable approach that blends action, stealth, and spectacleThe project has already positioned itself among the most watched releases of 2026 by the press and fans.
With everything shown so far, the new trailer for 007 First Light It makes clear the central role of Bawma and the city of Aleph in the story, outlines a tone that alternates between intrigue, espionage, and the saga's typical exaggeration, and confirms that IO Interactive wants to take advantage of the license to offer a big-budget adventure with a strong narrative component, in which Bond's origin, his confrontation with an arms dealer turned king of his own city and an international cast combine to shape a new vision of Agent 007 on consoles and PC.
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