Lenny Kravitzs pirate king Bawma fronts the villains of IO Interactives bold James Bond reimagining 007 First Light

Date:
Sun, 14 Dec 2025 21:00:00 +0000

Description:
IO Interactives Senior Licensing Producer, Theuns Smit, explains creating the ultimate spy-thriller experience through presentation and gameplay.

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Following the surprise announcement that Milla Jovovich is joining Hitman: World of Assassination and Gemma Chans upcoming turn as Selina Tan in 007 First Light , the entire energy in the room changed when Lenny Kravitz
stepped onto the stage at IO Interactives showcase. This was fresh off the reveal of his swaggering new character, the pirate king Bawma, in the next James Bond adventure.

IOI wants to redefine how players connect to the Bond mythos in 2025 and beyond. During our conversation, Senior Licensing Producer Theuns Smit made one thing clear: Kravitz didnt just join the world; they built part of it around him.

Kravitz really understood the character of Bawma from the very beginning,
Smit explained. He could carry that sense of charisma, but also be the kind
of antagonist where you dont really know where you stand with him. Hes mercurial. He demands respect and fear. A bold soundscape (Image credit: IO Interactive)

According to Smit, the four-time Grammy winner and star of the original
Hunger Games films brings such commanding presence and effortless charisma that he slips into the role as if it were written for him, instantly feeling like he belongs in Bonds pantheon of unforgettable villains. And while Smit wouldnt reveal just how central Bawma is to the plot, he did promise players will face plenty of twists and turns and urged them to experience the journey themselves.

Given Kravitzs musical legacy and the long history of iconic Bond themes, I had to ask the obvious question: Will First Light get its own original theme song? The last time a Bond game did was back in 2010 with Joss Stones Ill
Take It All for James Bond 007: Blood Stone , and before that Mya lent her voice to the 2004 EA title James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing . Smit wouldnt spill any secrets, but he did stress just how central music is to the overall vision for the game.

Were really working on elevating the full experience, said Smit. Games are often praised for visuals, but sound is what immerses you. Were working with extremely talented musicians and sound designers to bring that level of musicality into the experience.

He didnt confirm whether a signature theme is coming, but the way he emphasized full experience suggests something significant is happening behind the scenes. And with an artist like Kravitz already in the building, the possibilities feel wide open. Channeling momentum as a design cornerstone (Image credit: IO Interactive)

Unlike previous games featuring the iconic MI6 agent, 007: First Light isnt a film tie-in but an original IOI take that stars Patrick Gibson ( Shadow and Bone & Dexter : Original Sin ) as a mid-20s Bond looking to get 00 status as
a young MI6 agent.

As Smit puts it, a third-person, story-driven action-adventure game designed from the ground up to introduce an all-new Bond in an origin story. From
early previews, the game is definitely taking cues from Bonds past gaming incarnations alongside IOs ongoing Hitman series and more set-piece-driven action thatll remind many of Sonys Uncharted series.

That framing allows IOI to create its own cadence for Bond while still respecting the decades of storytelling that came before.

If youre a fan, youre going to see nods and winks to the journey and the franchise, Smit said. But were also focused on bringing a new and exciting reimagined origin story into that space.

And unlike many previous Bond games, which leaned heavily on shooting or stealth, First Light channels momentum as a design cornerstone.

When things escalate into a firefight, Bond is improvisational, Smit explained. He grabs whats around him like throwing objects, kicking a shotgun up off the ground, grabbing it mid-air, firing until its empty, then throwing the gun at someone and closing the gap. Its always forward drive, forward movement.

That kinetic feel was showcased in the early Slovakia mission demo: a vehicular chase in an Aston Martin, an airfield pursuit, and Bond doing what Bond does: staying in motion. Elevated realism (Image credit: IO Interactive)

Working with a global icon like Bond means there are rules. Theres real history spread across various media outside of film, such as the Ian Fleming books that inspired the franchise. Theres a tone that fans expect. But Smit says the collaboration with Amazon MGM gives IOI room to build.

Its about doing justice to the IP and staying true to the lore, the characters, the world, Smit shared. But its also about bringing something new to that space.

That balance can be seen in how First Light approaches gadgets, one of the pillars of the Bond identity. Were giving you the full 360 Bond experience, Smit said before alluding to a potential hub-like area between missions. You can go to Q Lab. You can walk up to Q. Hes a fun character in our game, and hes the brain behind all the gadgets.

That philosophy shaped the teams approach to elevated realism, where
grounded, everyday objects are reimagined as tools of the trade: a phone becomes a dark phone that fires off a blinding flash to disorient enemies, a lighter ejects smoke pellets for quick escapes, and a watch strap hides a laser capable of slicing open doors or disarming foes. Its all about linking gadgets to everyday things you wouldnt expect, Smit added, but elevated into that Bond fantasy.

Though IOI may be known for finely tuned stealth action gameplay, vehicle sequences are relatively new territory for the studio. Considering this signature part of Bonds identity, that was a non-negotiable.

Sometimes the story prompts a vehicle moment, Smit said. We wanted to honor that. Its something new to us, but you expect it from James Bond, so we put
it in.

IOI is on course to rebuild the Bond universe with new stars, new histories, and new threats. First Light feels like the start of an era shaped by bold choices, unforgettable personalities, and dynamic gameplay. Look for the game to drop on March 27, 2026 for PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 .

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/lenny-kravitzs-pirate-king-bawma-fronts-the-v illains-of-io-interactives-bold-reimagining-of-james-bond-in-007-first-light


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