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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Joshua Rivera

Meet the new James Bond: how 007 First Light earned its licence to thrill

‘Who is James Bond as a young man?’ … the newest incarnation of the secret agent in 007 First Light.
‘Who is James Bond as a young man?’ … the newest incarnation of the secret agent in 007 First Light. Photograph: IO Interactive

Four years after No Time to Die – the 25th 007 film and the final outing for Daniel Craig’s version of the world’s most famous spy – there is still no named successor to put on the tux, order a martini, or get behind the wheel of an Aston Martin. At least, not in cinemas. However, for the first time in Bond history, the world will meet a new James Bond in a video game, before a new 007 makes their debut on film.

As developed by Danish studio IO Interactive for next year’s 007 First Light, the new Bond is blandly handsome in a doll-like way. He is fresh-faced, with blue eyes that appear more cocksure than piercing, in contrast to the refined older Bond of most films or Craig’s ruggedness – although he is clearly inspired by Craig’s man-of-action approach. The implication is not that this Bond will eschew these traits but acquire them. First Light is an origin story intended to define one of the most durable protagonists in entertainment for a new generation of game-literate fans.

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