It was an evening of cast announcements and game trailer reveals at The Game Awards 2025, and one of those cast announcements was delivered by Lenny Kravitz himself. IO Interactive, the award-winning developer and publisher behind the globally-acclaimed Hitman franchise, and Amazon MGM Studios announced that Grammy Award winner Lenny Kravitz has joined the ensemble cast of 007 First Light as The Pirate King Bawma, the charismatic and unpredictable leader of a powerful black-market arms network.
Featuring the likeness and voiceover work from Lenny Kravitz in a video game for the first time, Bawma will be a figure who blurs the line between ally and adversary in Bond’s journey. During The Game Awards 2025, the Pirate King Bawma appeared in a brand-new trailer for 007 First Light, holding James Bond as well as Bond’s mentor at MI6, John Greenway, in a delicate situation, aiming to remove any outside interference.
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“Lenny brings an extraordinary presence to 007 First Light,” said Hakan Abrak, CEO at IO Interactive. “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.”
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Lenny Kravitz on Bawma
Lenny Kravitz takes on the role of Bawma, providing both the voice and physical likeness of the character, his first major performance in a video game. Bawma is the enigmatic leader of Aleph, a vast black-market arms network operating across the Western hemisphere. By 17, he had risen through the ranks of modern piracy, transforming an abandoned ship graveyard in Mauritania into the foundation of his empire.
“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,” shared Lenny Kravitz. “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.”
More About 007 First Light
In 007 First Light, players will step into the shoes of a young Bond, a promising yet rebellious Royal Navy air crewman who is recruited into MI6. His sharp instincts and heroism in combat propel him into the agency’s rigorous training program for the once-revered and newly resurrected elite 00 section.
For the first time ever, fans will be able to experience Bond’s ascent at MI6 from a young 26-year-old recruit into a full-fledged spy, immersing them in the exotic and dangerous world of espionage captured in the films. Bond’s adventures will take players all around the globe, coming face to face with allies and foes (or in some cases, both), while choosing how they overcome obstacles and challenges, whether it be with brute force, cunning guile, or charming wit.
Players will choose how to utilize Bond’s unique skills in combat, relationships, and the latest in Q’s technological gadgetry in his ascent to becoming 007. Along the way, they will meet familiar faces like M, Q, and Moneypenny. They will be introduced to new characters, including Bond’s mentor John Greenway, the mysterious Isola, and a whole new cast of villains.
007 First Light is set to release on March 27, 2026, on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox ROG Ally X, Xbox ROG Ally, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, and is available for pre-order, including the newly announced Collector’s Edition. Additionally, players who pre-order 007 First Light will get upgraded to the 007 First Light – Deluxe Edition for free, granting a 24-hour Early Access, as well as exclusive in-game skins and outfits.
