A Bold Pitch: Daniel Craig's Face on Agent 47
IO Interactive, the acclaimed studio behind the Hitman series, is currently developing their highly anticipated James Bond title, 007 First Light. However, few knew the extraordinary lengths the team went to secure the coveted 007 license. In a surprisingly direct approach, the studio created a unique demonstration by taking the head of actor Daniel Craig, famous for his portrayal of James Bond, and digitally placing it onto the body of their iconic assassin, Agent 47.
Hakan Abrak, the head of IO Interactive and project director for 007 First Light, revealed this fascinating detail in an interview with IGN. "We really put Daniel Craig in there," Abrak stated. "We simply modeled his head and put it in place of Agent 47, purely for demonstration, to show what these living, breathing worlds in an IO game mean."
Showcasing a "360-Degree Experience" in Sapienza
For this crucial presentation to the franchise holders at MGM and Eon Productions, developers chose the beloved Sapienza location from Hitman. This picturesque Italian resort, with its narrow streets and sun-drenched beaches, served as the perfect backdrop to convey how IO Interactive's game world could capture the essence of Bond: a unique blend of style, tension, and hidden opportunities.
According to Abrak, the team aimed to convey the idea of a "360-degree experience"—one where players are not limited to gunfights and cutscenes. "I think they saw in us, and we ourselves tried to show, that our approach is about creating a complete, comprehensive experience. It’s not just about shooting and cutscenes – though they will, of course, be in the game," Abrak explained. "We want to give players the chance to live out that part of the Bond fantasy where the character is in society and uses not just his fists, but also his charm, his ability to bluff, to find different ways to overcome obstacles or achieve goals. How would a charming Bond behave in such a situation, where he doesn't necessarily have to resort to violence?"
An Original Story with a Young James Bond
While Daniel Craig’s likeness was used for the initial pitch, the studio's vision for 007 First Light has always been an original story. The game will star a young James Bond, portrayed by actor Patrick Gibson. This decision reflects IO Interactive’s desire to infuse their creative mark into the franchise, rather than simply "gamifying" a film or recounting specific movie scenes within a game format.
"Before this, we only created original worlds and characters, so this is our first experience working with an external franchise. Therefore, it was extremely important for us to leave our creative imprint as well. We weren't interested in simply 'gamifying' a film or an approach where everything boils down to technique, like stretching pixels over Pierce Brosnan, or recounting individual scenes from a movie in game format," Abrak elaborated.
The developers aim to deliver an authentic Bond experience while exploring an uncharted side of the character. Instead of a seasoned agent confidently ordering drinks in a tuxedo, players will witness the journey of a young man just entering the world of espionage. A key part of the design is to guide the hero through training and transformation into the iconic James Bond.
Release Date and Platforms
Players will embark on this journey of becoming a 007 agent in 007 First Light, set to release on March 27, 2026. The game will be available on PC (via Steam and Epic Games Store), Xbox Series consoles, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch 2, with Russian text localization planned.
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