IO Interactive has pulled back the curtain on its highly anticipated espionage project, 007 First Light, unveiling a cinematic trailer that spotlights the game’s primary antagonist. The villain, a character named Bawma, is portrayed by rock icon Lenny Kravitz. Debuting during The Game Awards, the footage follows a young James Bond—still a 00-agent in training—as he infiltrates a clandestine stronghold in Mauritania, Africa.
This isolated locale, known as Aleph, appears to be a meticulously constructed “utopia” that serves as Bawma’s base of operations and a testament to his absolute control.
Witness Bawma in the New 007 First Light Trailer:
“People often ask, ‘Bawma, how is it that you hear every whisper in every corner?'” the villain muses to a restrained, upside-down Bond. “And I tell them, I built Aleph with my own will, my blood, and my entire soul. This city is an extension of my physical being, and today, it has been compromised. Don’t worry, girls—there is plenty of meat for everyone.”
While the identity of the “girls” remains a mystery, the visual cues are hard to ignore. Bawma’s aesthetic is heavily influenced by reptilian imagery, featuring crocodile-scale tattoos across his torso and a blazer textured to match. It seems likely that his “girls” are a brood of crocodiles used for both intimidation and execution. Given Kravitz’s involvement, speculation is also mounting as to whether the multi-talented artist will compose the game’s official theme song.
The wait to experience Bond’s origin story won’t be long. 007 First Light is slated for release on March 27, 2026, and will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC, and Nintendo’s successor to the Switch.
In the lead-up to launch, you can explore more details about the game, including the reveal of the Aston Martin Valhalla as Bond’s signature vehicle. You can also read our impressions from a behind-closed-doors gameplay demo that eased our biggest concerns, or revisit the initial teaser highlighting the agent’s early days.
What are your thoughts on Lenny Kravitz stepping into the role of a Bond villain? Share your take in the comments!
