Cyberpunk Movie Won't Adapt the Game, Says CDPR

Ever wondered how you'd bring Cyberpunk 2077's sprawling Night City to the big screen without just replaying the game? CD Projekt Red has an answer: they're not going to. In a recent interview with Polish outlet PAP Biznes, co-CEO Michał Nowakowski made it clear that the upcoming live-action Cyberpunk movie will be an original story set in the Cyberpunk universe, not a one-to-one adaptation of the game.

"At this point, we can only say that we definitely don't want to make a film adaptation of the game," Nowakowski said. "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." That's a bold move, but honestly, it makes a lot of sense. The game's narrative is deeply tied to your choices as V and the ever-present Johnny Silverhand, played by Keanu Reeves. Trying to cram all that into a two-hour movie would be a nightmare.

Instead, CDPR is looking to expand the universe with fresh characters and plotlines. They've already proven they can do this brilliantly with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the anime series that won over fans with its original story and emotional gut-punch. If the movie can capture even a fraction of that magic, we're in for a treat.

The project has had a bit of a journey. Nowakowski mentioned that a previous contract with Anonymous Content expired, but then they partnered with Paramount (which is now under the Skydance banner after the Warner Bros. acquisition). Back in early October, Deadline revealed that Paramount and CD Projekt Red, along with live-action Transformers producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, would be teaming up for the film. So it's been in the works for a while, but now we have a clearer direction.

As for when we'll see it? No release date or casting news yet. Nowakowski hinted that we might be waiting until around 2028 or 2029 before Night City hits cinemas. Both Paramount and CD Projekt Red will share more when "both parties are ready," so we'll have to be patient.

In the meantime, we can speculate about what an original Cyberpunk story could look like. Maybe it'll follow a new mercenary, or delve into the corporate wars, or explore a different corner of the universe. The possibilities are endless, and that's exciting. It also means the movie won't be constrained by game canon, giving filmmakers more creative freedom.

What do you think about an original Cyberpunk movie? Are you glad they're not just rehashing V's story, or would you have preferred a direct adaptation? Let us know in the comments!