Lana Del Rey to sing theme for new James Bond game

Lana Del Rey has been confirmed as the artist for the theme song of the upcoming James Bond video game, 007 First Light. The track, composed by David Arnold—known for his work on five Bond films—will serve as the game’s title music. This marks a pivotal moment for the US pop star, who had previously submitted a song for a Bond film in 2015 but saw it rejected by producers.

The game, set for a May 2024 release, will feature a standalone storyline separate from the film and novel series. It centers on a 26-year-old James Bond who is recruited into MI6 and earns his 00 designation. This is the first Bond-themed video game since 2012’s 007 Legends, making it a notable return to the franchise.

“I wrote my song 24 from my fourth album, Honeymoon, specifically for a film about the world’s most famous spy,” Del Rey shared in 2024. “Even after it wasn’t chosen, I always hoped for another opportunity to join the Bond universe.”

Del Rey is not the first to contribute to a Bond game. In 2010, Joss Stone provided the track “I’ll Take It All” for the opening titles of James Bond 007: Blood Stone. Similarly, Mya’s “Everything or Nothing” was featured in the 2004 game of the same name. However, the new title will be the first to include a Bond theme composed by Arnold.

Development of the game faced challenges, with IO Interactive announcing a two-month delay in December 2024 to refine its features. The studio aims to deliver a “cinematic adventure” that redefines the Bond gaming experience, as stated by Hakan Abrak, the company’s CEO.

The game’s cast includes familiar faces. Patrick Gibson, who portrayed a character in Dexter: Original Sin, will take on the role of 007. Lenny Kravitz will voice the main antagonist, Bawma, while Gemma Chan—known for her roles in Transformers: The Last Knight, Crazy Rich Asians, and Captain Marvel—will play MI6 officer Selina Tan.

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