Lana Del Rey will perform the theme song for the upcoming James Bond video game 007 First Light, marking her first official entry into the Bond franchise.
The track has been written by David Arnold, known for scoring five James Bond films, and will feature as the main title song when the game launches in May 2026.
Lana Del Rey joins bond franchise after earlier rejection
Del Rey’s involvement comes more than a decade after she previously wrote a Bond-inspired track that was not selected for the 2015 film Spectre.
That role instead went to Sam Smith, whose song “Writing’s On The Wall” went on to win an Academy Award.
Speaking previously, Del Rey had expressed hope of one day contributing to the Bond universe, making this project a notable full-circle moment in her career.
David Arnold on the new Bond theme
Arnold said the track continues the legacy of Bond theme songs while introducing a fresh voice.
“That’s why I was so excited to work with Lana, an artist who brought elegance, atmosphere and her totally unique character to this piece, which I hope will open the world of Bond to a whole new audience,”
The song reportedly begins with a slow, atmospheric introduction before building into a more orchestral arrangement, aligning with the classic Bond sound.
What we know about 007 First Light
007 First Light is a standalone story that explores a younger version of James Bond.
- The game follows a 26-year-old Bond as he is recruited into MI6
- It charts his path to earning 00 status
- It marks the first Bond video game release since 007 Legends
The title has faced some development delays, with IO Interactive confirming a short postponement to refine the final release.
Cast and production details
The game features a high-profile cast, including:
- Patrick Gibson as James Bond
- Lenny Kravitz as villain Bawma
- Gemma Chan as MI6 figure Selina Tan
IO Interactive CEO Hakan Abrak said:
“It’s a joy to watch two extraordinary talents like Lana Del Rey and David Arnold combine forces, the result feels instantly ‘Bond’ while still bringing a fresh identity for 007 First Light,”
Bond themes in gaming history
Del Rey is not the first artist to record a Bond theme for a video game. Joss Stone contributed “I’ll Take It All” for James Bond 007: Blood Stone (2010), while Mýa recorded “Everything or Nothing” for the 2004 game of the same name.
