James Bond is heading back into action—this time, not on the big screen but in players’ hands. While director Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two) and writer Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) continue to guard details of the cinematic reboot, IO Interactive’s upcoming title “007 First Light” is putting a spotlight on who’ll carry the Walther PPK next.
The game, set for release next year, stars Patrick Gibson as the face of James Bond.
The reveal didn’t come from a press release but through Screen Rant Plus, where Lennie James (The Walking Dead)—who portrays mentor Greenway via motion capture—confirmed what many already suspected: that it’s Irish actor Patrick Gibson.
At 30, Gibson already has notable credits, including his role as young Dexter Morgan in Dexter: Original Sin (2024), plus appearances in The OA (2016–2019) and Tolkien (2019).
“First Light” is a full-fledged origin story that puts players behind the tuxedo of a 26-year-old spy-in-training. Much like Casino Royale (2006), which opened the Daniel Craig era, the story explores a Bond yet to acquire is 00 status. The game pits players against the rogue agent 009, while integrating familiar faces like M, Q, and Miss Moneypenny.
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From stealth takedowns to tactical espionage, IO Interactive (best known for the Hitman series) is using Gibson’s likeness and performance to anchor a Bond for a new generation.
When compared to past cinematic Bonds—Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, Pierce Brosnan, and Daniel Craig—Gibson enters the legacy at a younger age than almost all of them, canonically the youngest Bond ever at 26.
While George Lazenby was only 29 when filming On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, Gibson’s version is written as even less experienced, which makes the game’s interactive storytelling a unique proving ground. Watch the trailer from IO Interactive below:
For more, IO Interactive has launched an official site offering updates and behind-the-scenes insights on “007 First Light.”
If you want to know more about “007 First Light,” here's everything you need to know!
