IO Interactive, the studio renowned for the Hitman series, is currently engaged in several projects, including a new fantasy IP and the game 007: First Light, previously known as Project 007. A wealth of new information about the game, including its release date, cast, story, and more, was revealed during the PlayStation State of Play in September 2025.
Announced in November 2020, First Light aims to tell an origin story for James Bond. This game has the potential to kick off a new trilogy, and below we delve into everything known about it so far.
007 First Light Release Date
First Light is slated for release on March 27, 2026, approximately two months before the anticipated launch of GTA 6.
Preorder 007 First Light
Preorders for 007 First Light are currently open. Anyone who preorders the $70 standard edition will automatically be upgraded to the Deluxe Edition, which includes 24-hour early access and various in-game bonuses. A $300 Collector`s Edition, featuring a replica Golden Gun, is also available.
Cast: Who is Playing James Bond?
During the September 3 Nintendo Direct, IO Interactive confirmed that Irish actor Patrick Gibson will portray James Bond, verifying months of rumors. The full cast includes:
- Patrick Gibson as James Bond
- Priyanga Burford as M
- Alastair Mackenzie as Q
- Kiera Lester as Miss Moneypenny
- Lennie James as Bond’s mentor, John Greenway
- Noemie Nakai as Miss Roth
007 First Light Trailers
The initial trailer for 007 First Light premiered during Summer Game Fest, followed by a more in-depth gameplay trailer released in September during a PlayStation State of Play. Both trailers are available for viewing.
007 First Light Platforms
First Light will be released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Switch 2, and PC.
First Light Story, Setting, and Characters
In 007 First Light, players will step into the shoes of a 26-year-old James Bond serving in the Royal Navy, prior to his transformation into the renowned British superspy. He is recruited into MI6 and subsequently its elite 00 section.
“Bond`s adventures will take players around the globe, where they will confront allies and foes (or in some cases, both), choosing how to overcome obstacles and challenges—whether through brute force, cunning guile, or charming wit,” states the game`s press release. The developers added, “We are pouring our energy and passion for the franchise into creating a cinematic adventure that pushes the boundaries of what a James Bond game can be, while telling a fresh, new story.”
This third-person action-adventure game will feature familiar characters such as M, Q, and Moneypenny, alongside a brand-new character created for the game, John Greenway, and a mysterious figure named Isola. IO also promises “a whole new cast of villains.”
IO Interactive intends for the game to launch a new trilogy. CEO Hakan Abrak informed IGN that First Light will not be based on any existing Bond films. Instead, the developers have been granted permission to craft their unique version of James Bond for the game.
“What`s exciting about that project is that we actually got to do an original story,” Abrak said. “So it`s not a gamification of a movie. It`s completely beginning and becoming a story, hopefully for a big trilogy out there in the future. And equally important and exciting, it`s a new Bond. It`s a Bond we built from the ground up for gamers; a Bond that the gamers can call their own and grow with.”
More Than Just Shooting
While James Bond films are famous for their over-the-top action sequences involving numerous guns and intense shooting, First Light will not exclusively focus on combat.
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak recently stated, “We don`t want to make a game where it`s only about shooting and running.” He further elaborated, “It`s also about delivering that fantasy for a Bond where he can traverse social spaces and speak to people and figure out in creative ways how to solve the obstacles in front of him. So there`s a lot that we know from Hitman: World of Assassination that we brought into that, but James Bond is a very different experience than Hitman.”
First Light Game Engine
First Light is being developed using IO`s proprietary Glacier engine. The company is actively recruiting a multiplayer programmer, and a previous job advertisement for Project 007 sought someone with multiplayer experience. This suggests, though does not confirm, that the new James Bond game might incorporate multiplayer elements.
Who is Developing First Light?
First Light is currently in “active development” across IO`s offices in Copenhagen, Denmark, and Malmö, Sweden.
“Creating an original Bond game is a monumental undertaking, and I truly believe that IO Interactive, working closely with our creative partners at EON and MGM, can deliver something extremely special for our players and communities,” Abrak stated. “Our passionate team is excited to unleash their creativity into the iconic James Bond universe and craft the most ambitious game in the history of our studio.”
Former MGM boss Robert Marick commented, “We plan to bring a new take on this legendary franchise to gamers and Bond fans around the world. IO Interactive are masters of crafting living, breathing worlds of immersive storytelling.” Marick departed MGM after the game`s announcement.
A James Bond Management Shakeup
A significant unanswered question regarding First Light is whether the project has been affected by the change in ownership of the James Bond franchise. Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, who previously managed the franchise, were bought out, with Amazon MGM Studios now overseeing all creative decisions.
Broccoli and Wilson had helmed the James Bond franchise for nearly 60 years, inheriting it from their father, Cubby Broccoli. They were the driving force behind the entire Bond franchise during this period, including selecting the actors to play the iconic spy. Their involvement extended beyond films; Broccoli, at least, was known to participate in game development decisions, having reportedly raised concerns about the GoldenEye game for Wii.
The potential impact of Amazon MGM Studios` new leadership on IO`s game remains unclear.
History of James Bond Games
Over the years, various companies have developed James Bond video games. One of the most memorable and iconic was Rare`s 1997 GoldenEye 007 for Nintendo 64. Electronic Arts also produced Bond games, including Agent Under Fire, Nightfire, and Rogue Agent. Activision then took over for a period, publishing titles like Quantum of Solace and Blood Stone. There hasn`t been a new console James Bond game since 2012`s 007 Legends, though Cypher 007 was released for mobile devices in 2023.
The Next James Bond Movie
The 26th Bond film is now in the works, with David Heyman (of Harry Potter fame) and Amy Pascal (known for Spider-Man) signed on as producers. Amazon MGM Studios will produce the film, but key details, most notably who will play James Bond, remain unannounced. Aaron Taylor-Johnson was reportedly a front-runner at one point. The director and release date for the new Bond movie are also currently unknown.
A Wall Street Journal report from December 2024 indicated that Broccoli and Wilson were in disputes with Amazon executives over the future of the series, leading to delays in project development. With Broccoli and Wilson now out, some speculate that Amazon might expedite the production of Bond 26.