Amazon-backed bond reboot stars a rough, unrefined James Bond in the first game in 15 years

The next chapter in 007’s legacy is manifesting not on the silver screen but in a video game—007: First Light—slated for release next year. This marks the first James Bond title in 15 years and the first project under Amazon MGM’s complete creative control.

Developed by Danish studio IO Interactive in partnership with Amazon MGM and EON Productions, the game introduces a younger, less polished Bond, stepping into the gritty, chaotic world of espionage. This is not the suave, tuxedo-clad agent of legend. Instead, this 007 is a raw recruit—still learning the ropes of spycraft and high-society finesse.

Hakan Abrak, CEO of IO Interactive, told The Hollywood Reporter that this version of Bond is “not a completely perfectly cut diamond from day one.” He’s an agent in the making, with no mastery of tuxedos and martinis yet, adjusting on the fly to a perilous, undercover landscape.

IO Interactive focused heavily on capturing the essence of British wit and charm. “It took us time to hit the British humour,” said Abrak, emphasising the care taken to ground Bond’s personality in its origins.

This is the first new Bond character since Daniel Craig delivered his final portrayal in No Time To Die (2021). The last game, 007: Blood Stone, came out in 2010 and featured a digital Craig likeness.

A teaser trailer offers a haunting glimpse of this fledgling agent: youthful, determined and bearing a scar on his right cheek—a visible sign of the rough journey ahead.

Abrak admitted the pressure is monumental. “Bond is a very cherished and important IP,” he said. “A lot of people have grown up with that.” For over 60 years, the franchise has evolved through a range of interpretations, and First Light is IO Interactive’s bid to continue that legacy in interactive form.

Work on the game began in late 2020, meaning the bulk of its development took place under Amazon’s stewardship, following the transition from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. The team reports a “really good collaboration” between IO Interactive, Amazon MGM, and EON.

Despite rampant speculation about who will play James Bond on screen, neither Broccoli nor Wilson have confirmed any casting moves. One report suggested actor Aaron Taylor‑Johnson had been approached, but sources have dismissed that claim.

007: First Light marks a bold reimagining. It strips down the world-famous spy at the start of his career to show a Bond who must earn his stripes.

It might be the first time players truly witness James Bond evolve—learning spy craft, refining manners, and surviving brutal trials. How this new incarnation fares will shape expectations ahead of the next James Bond film and define Bond’s game debut under Amazon’s era.