IO Interactive and Amazon MGM Studios announced the addition of Lenny Kravitz to the cast of their upcoming James Bond video game, 007 First Light. Kravitz walked up on stage at the Game Awards, after attendees and fans got a glimpse of a short trailer featuring his character, The Pirate King Bawma. Kravitz will provide both the voice and physical likeness of the character, with this appearance being his first ever affiliation with a video game.
Lenny Kravitz to play James Bond villain in 007 First Light game
007 First Light is an upcoming video game, developed by IO Interactive, the award-winning developer and publisher behind the globally acclaimed HITMAN franchise. Developed in partnership with Amazon MGM Studios, which holds the rights to the James Bond franchise, the game is set to release on March 27, 2026.
Meanwhile, at The Game Awards held on December 11, IO Interactive announced Lenny Kravitz lending his voice to one of the game’s villians, The Pirate King Bawma. Described as the charismatic and unpredictable leader of a powerful black-market arms network, the character will use both Kravitz’s voice and physical likeness. “Lenny brings an extraordinary presence to 007 First Light,” said the CEO at IO Interactive, Hakan Abrak, as per a press release.
“He is a one-of-a-kind performer, with unbelievable charisma, who fits perfectly with the character of Bawma. He captured exactly what we envisioned: a formidable man who commands both fear and loyalty, which will have a profound impact on Bond’s journey into the world of espionage,” he added. The game will come out on on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox ROG Ally X, Xbox ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch 2*, and PC, and is currently available for pre order.
“The Bond franchise has such an incredible legacy in video games, so to step into it with a brand-new character like Bawma is amazing,” Kravitz said of the character. “He’s magnetic and unpredictable, there’s danger in him, but also heart and purpose. He’s not just a man with power; he is a man who has to fight for every inch of it. Bringing that energy into 007’s world felt incredible,” he added.
Originally reported by Elton Fernandes on SuperHeroHype.
