007 First Light really has been a brilliant foray back into the world of video games for James Bond, with IO Interactive successfully adapting their usual formula to create something entirely new for the beloved spy IP.
A big part of that success is the motion capture performances of the actors in the narratives major roles. Whether it’s Priyanga Burford as M, Lonnie James as John Greenway, or Alastair Mackenzie as Q, all slot into their roles perfectly and make the game what it is. That’s perhaps most true for Patrick Gibson in the main role as James Bond, but it turns out another major video game actor went up for the role, and things could easily have been very different.
In an interview with VGC (via PushSquare), Ben Starr, who is most known for his performances in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Final Fantasy XVI, revealed that he actually went up for the role years ago when initial casting started, but things didn’t go so well.
The chance to audition came during his aforementioned work on Final Fantasy XVI, with Starr saying, “I auditioned for James Bond years ago. I never would’ve gotten it, I was terrible […] I was just a young actor who liked video games.”
He then went on to single Gibson out for particular praise, saying, “I’m so f***ing happy I didn’t get anywhere near it, because my god, Patrick Gibson’s so f***ing good in that game. He’s unbelievable.” He’s not alone in that belief either, with many calling on the actor to take on the role in the movie franchise entirely, with long-time Bond actor Daniel Craig stepping back from his duties as 007.
It’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility, and it would be nice to see recognition for work in the medium of video games transfer across to more traditional forms of entertainment, like TV and Film.
Whilst there’s every chance Starr could have done a good job with the role, particularly with all the experience he has gained since, it is now quite difficult to imagine anyone else in the role other than Patrick Gibson.
We’ll see how much more 007 he’ll be involved in going forward, with a story DLC definitely on the way already. Beyond that, we have to wait to hear what Amazon’s plans are for their relatively new IP, and whether IO Interactive will be given another chance to take a run at a James Bond game, something which many will agree they have more than earned.
- Released
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May 27, 2026
- ESRB
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Teen / Blood, Language, Suggestive Themes, Violence, In-Game Purchases
- Developer(s)
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IO Interactive
- Publisher(s)
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IO Interactive