Final Fantasy XVI actor Ben Starr has revealed in an interview with VGC that he auditioned for the role of James Bond in IO Interactive’s 007 First Light a number of years ago, but admitted he’s glad he didn’t get the part and was full of praise for Patrick Gibson, who got the role.
Starr admitted he “crumbled under the pressure,” noting he auditioned a few years into working on Final Fantasy XVI but ultimately “didn’t deliver what they wanted.”
I auditioned for James Bond years ago. I never would have gotten it. I was terrible. I remember doing a self-tape for it. I did the Goldeneye scene, and I got recalled to meet the team. I was a couple of years into doing Final Fantasy at that point, and it hadn’t been released, so I was just a young actor who liked video games.
I really kind of crumbled under the pressure. I didn’t deliver what they wanted, and I’m so fucking happy I didn’t get anywhere near it, because my god, Patrick Gibson is so fucking good. He’s unbelievable.
007 First Light launched for PS5, PC, and Xbox Series X/S on May 27, 2026. The game tells an origins story for the British super spy, depicting him as a more reckless, inexperienced 26-year-old agent as he embarks on a mission to grant him his 00 Status. The game also features a number of iconic characters from the Bond franchise such as M, Miss Moneypenny, and Q, while combining elements of stealth and action sequences that play into IO’s strengths from working on the Hitman series.
You can read our 007 First Light review here.
[Source – VGC]