Numerous actors have portrayed James Bond on the big screen, but IO Interactive's Project 007 is set to give the super spy a totally original face. The iconic British secret agent was created by author Ian Fleming and has appeared in a total of 27 live-action films, with seven different actors portraying Bond over more than 60 years of cinema. The next actor to play James Bond following Daniel Craig's portrayal remains unknown, but IO Interactive's Project 007 will put its own spin on the heroic agent.
Announced back in 2020, IO Interactive's James Bond game will serve as a successor to the developer's beloved Hitman stealth franchise. While little is actually known about the project's premise or gameplay, it will apparently tell Bond's origin story with players working to earn their 00 status while presumably saving the world on the behalf of MI6. The James Bond game will apparently follow a wholly original narrative, rather than simply adapting other origin stories like Casino Royale, while immersing players in the life of the charming secret agent.
Project 007 Will Introduce A New James Bond
While little has been officially revealed about the project since its announcement back in 2020, a 2021 update from IO Interactive revealed new details on the Project 007 game. The developer has confirmed that their Bond will not be based on any previous live-action interpretation of the character, meaning that players won't be running around as Pierce Brosnan or Daniel Craig. It seems that Project 007 will instead give the MI6 agent a brand-new face and personality, perhaps one that draws more directly from author Ian Fleming's original descriptions of the iconic character. This can help make IO Interactive's game feel both original and authentic to the James Bond source material.
Project 007's Original Bond Will Help It Stand Out
By using an original take on Jame Bond rather than recreating one of the character's on-screen actors, Project 007 can stand out from past video games. Many of the best James Bond video games are direct adaptations of films, with GoldenEye 007 casting players as Pierce Brosnan and From Russia With Love featuring the climactic return of Sean Connery to the role. While using an original Bond design risks divorcing Project 007 from the prestige and success of the franchise's beloved movies, it will also let the game stand alone and allow IO Interactive to make creative decisions without being tied to the film series.
Fans have been wildly speculating about the next actor to portray James Bond on screen since No Time To Die released, with popular guesses including Henry Cavill and Idris Elba while swinging everywhere in-between. While many spy fans are excited to see 007 return to cinemas, the Hitman devs' Project 007 will let them step into the polished shoes an original James Bond. The game will likely arrive before the next Bond film, meaning that the next 007 adventure will actually be conducted by IO Interactive's version. The identity of the next James Bond is still a mystery, but Project 007 can put a new spin on the international man of mystery.
Source: James Bond 007/YouTube
