Lenny Kravitz is officially stepping into James Bond’s world — not as a smooth ally, but as a dangerously charismatic villain who could completely redefine what a 007 bad guy looks like. And this is the part most people miss: his character isn’t just evil for the sake of it — he’s designed to be magnetic, unpredictable, and possibly even... sympathetic.
Lenny Kravitz, known to many as both a rock icon behind hits like 'Are You Gonna Go My Way' and as an actor from films such as The Hunger Games, has joined the James Bond universe as a full-on antagonist. In the upcoming video game 007 First Light, Kravitz plays Bawma, a ruthless crime lord who has managed to trap a young Bond in a gloriously over-the-top, classic Bond-style death setup. Think elaborate villain lair energy — but updated with a modern, cinematic twist.
Developed by IO Interactive, the studio famous for the Hitman series, 007 First Light is not just another Bond tie-in. It’s positioned as a true origin story, following a younger James Bond as he undertakes his first covert missions, slowly proving that he deserves both his licence to kill and his legendary 00 status. For anyone new to the franchise, that 00 rank is what marks him as one of MI6’s elite, officially sanctioned to use lethal force when necessary.
In the latest trailer, we’re taken to Mauritania, where Bawma has clawed his way to the top of the illegal arms trade. He doesn’t just see himself as a crime boss — he views himself as a sort of God-like figure ruling over a dangerous world he’s built from wreckage. His base of operations is a ship graveyard that has evolved into a ramshackle town, a place where rusting hulks and human desperation blend into something that’s both visually striking and quietly unsettling.
As Bawma delivers a grandiose monologue about his power, his empire, and the twisted pride he takes in his domain, we glimpse Bond in a decidedly less glamorous position: suspended upside down, with menacing, scaly creatures circling below, clearly ready to make him their next meal. It’s a classic Bond scenario — villain speechifying, hero in peril — but heightened by modern game visuals and performance-driven acting. But here’s where it gets controversial: when the villain is this charismatic, do we secretly start rooting for him a little too much?
One big question fans are already asking is whether Lenny Kravitz will also lend his musical talents to the game’s soundtrack. So far, there’s no confirmation of a theme song from him, but there’s solid precedent for this kind of dual role. In the 2012 Bond game Blood Stone, Joss Stone not only voiced a character but also performed the game’s main theme. So it wouldn’t be surprising if the team behind First Light is at least considering a similar move with Kravitz.
Kravitz isn’t the only familiar face (or voice) attached to the project. The voice and performance cast for 007 First Light is stacked with talent. Alongside Kravitz’s Bawma, the game features Lennie James from The Walking Dead franchise, Gemma Chan from Humans, Alastair Mackenzie from Andor, Priyanga Burford from Steeltown Murders, and Patrick Gibson — known from Dexter: Original Sin — taking on the iconic role of James Bond himself. For a game, that’s a seriously prestige line-up, leaning heavily into the “interactive blockbuster” territory.
The official synopsis sets the tone for what players can expect: Bond’s journey will span the globe, putting him face-to-face with a range of characters who can be allies, enemies, or intriguingly, sometimes both. As players, you’re given choices in how Bond handles each situation — whether he pushes through using raw force, navigates with stealth and cleverness, or leans into his trademark charm and wit. For newcomers to the series, that means your playstyle can shape what kind of 007 you become.
A post on IO Interactive’s official blog hints that Bawma is one of those morally complex figures who “blurs the line between ally and adversary”. That already plants the idea that he might not be a straightforward, irredeemable villain. Lenny Kravitz himself describes Bawma as “magnetic and unpredictable,” emphasizing that there is real danger in the character but also genuine heart and a sense of purpose driving him.
Kravitz adds that Bawma isn’t just another powerful man pulling strings from the shadows; he’s someone who had to fight for every scrap of influence he now holds. That framing invites a different, more nuanced kind of Bond villain — someone whose ambition and brutality may be horrible, yet understandable. And this is the part most people overlook: when a villain’s motives feel grounded and human, it can challenge how we, as players, judge what’s “right” or “wrong” in the story.
Meanwhile, in the wider James Bond universe away from the controller and screen of First Light, there are big moves happening in film as well. On the cinematic side, Amazon MGM now holds creative control over the franchise and is shaping Bond’s future on the big screen. Denis Villeneuve, known for visually stunning and thoughtful films, has been brought on board as director, while Steven Knight, the writer behind Peaky Blinders, is handling the script.
However, perhaps the hottest ongoing debate in Bond fandom is still unresolved: who will play the next James Bond in the films? Casting rumours are flying constantly, with fan speculation running wild and no official announcement yet. Some fans want a radically different take on Bond, while others fiercely protect the more traditional image of the character — a tension that could make the eventual reveal particularly divisive.
As for 007 First Light itself, the game is set to reach a wide audience when it launches. It will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, with its release locked in for 27 March. That multi-platform strategy hints that IO Interactive and Amazon MGM see this as a major piece of the Bond ecosystem, not just a side project.
If you’re a TV lover planning your festive binge-watching, you might also cross paths with the Good Housekeeping Christmas TV Guide, which offers two full weeks of Christmas programming listings plus extras aimed at creating the ideal holiday viewing schedule. Priced at £4.75, it’s on sale at Morrisons, TG Jones, and other major magazine retailers.
The article’s author, Joe Anderton, is a freelance news writer for Digital Spy and has been part of the team since 2016. Over the years, he’s covered live events and interviewed a wide range of celebrities. A devoted fan of both mainstream and lesser-known TV and films, Joe also has a strong passion for video games, especially on PlayStation. He’s currently not on Twitter, and when he did use it, it was mostly to encourage people to watch the animated film Help! I’m a Fish.
Now here’s where it could get really divisive: do you think a game like 007 First Light, with a complex, almost relatable villain played by a real-world music icon, should influence how the film version of Bond is written and cast going forward? Should villains like Bawma — full of heart, purpose, and moral ambiguity — become the new standard for Bond antagonists, or do you prefer the classic, larger-than-life evil masterminds with simpler motives? And finally, would you be excited or annoyed if Lenny Kravitz ended up performing the game’s main theme as well as playing the villain?
Do you agree with this more nuanced direction for Bond stories, or do you think the franchise is drifting too far from its roots? Share your take — who knows, your idea of the “perfect” Bond and Bond villain might be very different from what the studios have in mind.
