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Lenny Kravitz is not just the new villain in the upcoming game ‘007 First Light’, he is also taking a step from being a guitar player to a controller. The rock star has announced that he will be the one to portray Bawma, an unusual character that the game calls “the biggest black-market dealer in the Western Hemisphere” whose characteristics are “as captivating as he is totally unpredictable.” Along with the cinematic teaser that revealed it, the hype created was massive and led to immediate pre-orders for the game.
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The disclosure was very straightforward. Lenny Kravitz shared a promotional video and talked about his virtual double. “Meet Bawma,” the beginning of his remark says. “He was a very unfortunate guy at the beginning, but then he broke free, and after that, he built his own Kingdom of Aleph.” The video accompanying it shows a glimpse of the new character, with Kravitz’s voice as Bawma. “Sometimes I get asked… how come you are able to hear every whisper in every part of the world?” the character ponders. “And I reply, I made a left with my will, my blood, my entire self.” The teaser has radiated power and threat, which is a stark contrast to the artist’s usual persona on stage.
The news was met with very quick and very positive reactions. A lot of the people simply wanted to witness the crossover. One user wrote, “Kenny Kravitz in the new 007 video game? Let’s go!” Another user exclaimed, “Ooh my God. One more reason to play this game.” The casting choice seemed to be perfectly in sync with his character. One user commented, “I definitely needed to see a ‘bad’ Lenny Kravitz… Showing that side again really blows my mind.”
On the other hand, there were some critics who were not so generous in their opinions. The critics expressed skepticism about the increasing trend of celebrity casting in video games. One commentator said, “I can’t complain about Lenny Kravitz, but I find it really irritating that video games are starting to use celebrities and ‘star power’ for marketing… I was hoping Keanu would not be the exception… but instead it started a trend.” This remark sparked a minor debate, with another poster rebutting, “Umm, can’t you see that because he is so cool and menacing he would be a fantastic actor in a game??”
The announcement also showed the wide range of Kravitz’s fans, who could even include those who don’t normally play video games. One person admitted, “Not a gamer but Lenny will definitely make me get a game just to see him.” Others pointed out the versatile nature of the artist’s character and commented, “Wow. Wow, it really looks good and Lenny is the right choice for that role,” and “Playing the villain, secret edge. It is you.”
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Lenny Kravitz’s experimentation with video games acting signifies a significant career shift. This was the path taken by other big names as well who brought their immersive games narrative of storytelling. Bawma, a self-made kingpin of a criminal empire of Aleph, is fated to become the major and complex character in ‘007 First Light’ plot. The game is up for pre-order before its launch in March, and Kravitz has successfully managed to generate a lot of interest around this project by leveraging his iconic status. His foray into the virtual world signifies the changing times in the entertainment industry where music, film, and interactive media are still merging together. Recently, he surprised fans with an impromptu performance, and he just concluded an epic two-year tour. Fans can look forward to his Blue Electric Light tour, and he has expressed soulful gratitude for the energy on tour.