The new James Bond game 007: First Light launches in 2026, starring young Bond and Lennie James
The iconic spy saga is rebooting in video game form with 007 First Light, a fresh origin story unveiling a young James Bond, set to launch in 2026. Revealed during today’s PlayStation State of Play broadcast, this new title comes from Hitman developer IO Interactive, marking a bold new chapter in Bond gaming.
007 First Light transports players to the earliest days of Bond’s career, following a 26-year-old agent freshly recruited by MI6. Unlike previous Bond games and films, this iteration reimagines classic characters — including M, Q, and Moneypenny — with new interpretations fitting this origin tale. Notably, The Walking Dead actor Lennie James joins the cast as Bond’s mentor, John Greenway, adding star power and gravitas to the story.
The cinematic reveal trailer sets a darker tone, revealing a tragic backstory: young Bond becomes an orphan at age 11 and spends his childhood in British boarding schools before joining the Royal Navy. From there, MI6 recruits him, launching his journey as an agent. The trailer offers glimpses of Bond acquiring his signature Omega watch and teasing Q with early experiments on the lab’s cutting-edge gadgets — moments that show a more vulnerable and evolving hero.
Gameplay footage reveals a blend of stealth, action, and espionage. Bond navigates shadowy corridors, employs clever gadgets, and uses hand-to-hand combat to dispatch foes. Players will face choices on how to approach missions — whether through brute force or the legendary charm and subtlety that define 007. The use of disguises hints at a gameplay style reminiscent of Hitman, allowing players to infiltrate and manipulate environments creatively.
John Greenway, portrayed by Lennie James, provides narrative depth as Bond’s mentor and a seasoned MI6 operative. His line in the trailer — “009 is a master manipulator. Whatever the endgame is, we won’t see it coming” — sets an intriguing stage for the storyline and highlights the complex spy world Bond must navigate.
Originally announced in 2020 under the codename Project 007, IO Interactive promised a completely original James Bond narrative distinct from any film adaptation. This approach appears to be paying off, giving fans an opportunity to explore a fresh, character-driven action-adventure experience that promises global locations and high-stakes espionage.
The studio’s CEO, Hakan Abrak, recently expressed hopes that 007 First Light would kick off a trilogy, positioning the game as the foundation for an ambitious new Bond franchise in gaming. However, this ambitious pivot means IO Interactive’s beloved Hitman series is currently on hiatus, shifting focus to perfecting this new IP.
Excitingly, beyond PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S platforms, 007 First Light will also launch on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 — broadening the game’s reach and allowing a new generation of gamers to experience Bond’s origin story.
As anticipation builds, 007 First Light looks poised to deliver an immersive James Bond experience that blends familiar espionage thrills with a fresh narrative twist, new characters, and innovative gameplay mechanics. Fans eager to step into Bond’s shoes early in his career should mark their calendars for 2026.
