James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in modern pop culture and as the upcoming 007 First Light is the first Bond title in over a decade, along with a young version of the character played by Patrick Gibson, there’s quite a bit of ongoing debate around that casting choice. However, according to Tom Marcham, the senior combat designer for 007 First Light, the developers see the differing perspectives on the casting of James Bond in the game as affirmatively positive as he spoke in a recent interview with Eurogamer:
“Everyone has their favorite Bond. If we made a Bond where no one had any opinions on them, it would be the dullest Bond ever made. So the fact that we’ve got a little controversy on that, I think it’s a good thing,” he said. “I think every time a new James Bond is cast it’s talked about in every part of Britain, so let’s have it happen to us, let’s have people discuss it. I’m curious to see… One of the things I really like about Paddy’s performance of Bond is how much he grows on you throughout the game as well. So it’d be interesting to see what people think when they actually play through it.”
007 First Light’s narrative director, Martin Emborg has also expressed enthusiasm on Patrick Gibson’s performance in the upcoming Bond title: “I think [Patrick Gibson has] done an incredible job, and he’s definitely someone that has so much charisma that the more time you spend with him, the more you like him,” he said.
007 First Light boasts an impressive, star studded cast of Dexter: Original Sin’s Patrick Gibson as the new James Bond, Fear the Walking Dead’s Lennie James as Bond’s mentor John Greenway, Priyanga Burford as M, Alastair Mackenzie as Q, Kiera Lester as Moneypenny and Noémie Nakai as Miss Roth.
007: First Light will launch across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2 and PC on May 27.
