IO Interactive’s 007: First Light is still firing up gamers and James Bond fans; even after its delay from the original March 2026 release date. Helping fuel that fire is a promotional video known as the “Story Trailer,” which focuses on the plot we’ve danced around with each look. As Patrick Gibson’s digital 00 debut continues to look like one hell of a thrill ride, I’ve become fixated with a huge question mark sitting on the board – and it’s licensed to kill!
007: First Light Promises To Be The Adventure We Need Before Bond 26
Before we get underway with the matter at hand, you really need to see this story trailer. So without further delay, here’s IO Interactive’s latest tease for First Light:
Considering First Light was announced back in 2020, the fact that it hasn’t lost steam during its hype phase should be considered impressive. Plus in the current era of uncertainty over who will be the face of Denis Villeneuve’s Bond 26, the first new video game in over a decade is just the sort of appetizer fans deserve. (Especially when it looks miles ahead of the most recent 00-game offering – 2012’s disasterpiece 007 Legends.
As we get closer to 007: First Light’s May 27th release date, we’re probably going to see even more glimpses at the intense setpieces and cunning quips this James Bond origin story will entail. Which brings me to the one big question that’s set itself firmly in my mind – and still refuses to unmask itself.
We Still Don’t Know Who’s Playing 009 In First Light
From day one, 007: First Light has played its casting game close to the chest. Sure the internet instantly clocked Patrick Gibson as young Bond, but the Dexter: Original Sin star wasn’t officially announced until further down the line. Since then, we’ve seen announcements continue to break casting reveals like Gemma Chan’s First Light character, as well as rock star Lenny Kravitz’s unexpected (but quite cool) villain, The Pirate King Bawma! But for as much as 009 has been mentioned throughout the marketing campaign, our main villain hasn’t shown their face.
The closest thing we’ve gotten is periodic flashes of the golden masked antagonist you see above. Even then, I can’t even be totally sure that this person is 009; but my instincts are pointing toward “Yes.” So why haven’t we heard any quips or threats worthy of a James Bond villain come from this shadowy character?
009’s Secret Identity Must Mean Something To First Light, Right?
It’s surely an intriguing tease, but at this point in the game you’d expect 007: First Light to have put this card on the table. Again, we’ve heard no threats or quips for young James Bond to issue witty retorts against. Save for maybe some sassy clapbacks to his superiors, or top tier double entendres; which are equally necessary, but just aren’t the same.
So does this mean that whomever is playing 009 is a big deal? Could it be a veteran from the James Bond ecosystem? Is that shadowy face Daniel Craig?! Admittedly I let myself ramp up the wildness of those questions, but it proves my point. Not knowing who’s playing 009 seems to be a lynchpin to the marketing of First Light.
When we do see that mysterious face, it could promise to be a fantastic WTF moment; especially if we have seen their visage, and we just don’t know it. 007: First Light is currently available for pre-order; ahead of its May 27th debut. If you’ve been looking for something to distract you from obsessing over this new baddie, you can always debate which edition to reserve for game day.
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