Earlier this month, it was reported that CD Projekt Red is working on a live-action movie based on Cyberpunk 2077, the 2020 video game they developed based on on the tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) series created by Mike Pondsmith. But while the movie will be based on Projekt Red's best-selling action-adventure RPG, it won't be a direct retelling of the story.
"At this point, we can only say that we definitely don't want to make a film adaptation of the game," CD Projekt Red co-CEO Michal Nowakowski told Polish outlet PAP Biznes. "We want to tell a story in the world of Cyberpunk, but it won't be a one-to-one translation of the game's story."
The film is a collaborative effort between CD Projekt Red and Anonymous Content, the media company behind Emmy-winning series such as True Detective and Mr. Robot, as well as Academy Award-winning films including The Revenant and Spotlight. According to Deadline, the project is "at an early development stage," so it may be a while before we get any concrete details about the story or plot.
Cyberpunk 2077 follows V, a mercenary in the futuristic Night City, whose heist gone wrong leaves them sharing their mind with the digital ghost of rebel rocker Johnny Silverhand (portrayed by Keanu Reeves in the game). As Johnny’s personality threatens to overwrite their own, V searches for a way to survive amid ruthless corporations, violent gangs, and shifting alliances.
All told, the story is generally considered one of Cyberpunk 2077's strongest elements, espeically its memorable characters and the relationships between V and Johnny Silverhand. Although initially marred by glitches and bugs, subsequent patches greatly improved the overall experience. But even through those technical problems, the story was one of the shining aspects.
While it would probably be fun to see Keanu Reeves return for the movie, choosing not to directly adapt the game's storyline is probably for the best. After all, there are plenty of stories to be told about the citizens of Night City. And CD Projekt Red has already proven they are capable of writing an original story.
The developer was heavily involved in the creation and collaboration of Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the Netflix anime series from Studio Trigger. CDPR writers Bartosz Sztybor, Jan Bartkowicz, and Łukasz Ludkowski worked alongside Studio Trigger on the initial setting and core concepts of the anime.
Speaking of the anime, it's set to return for its second season on October 20th.