A live-action adaptation of Cyberpunk 2077 is in development with Paramount Pictures, and CD Projekt Red joint-CEO Michał Nowakowski has confirmed that the film will not be a direct retelling of the game's narrative. Instead, the project will explore an original story set within the Cyberpunk universe.
Nowakowski stated that the studio decided to pursue a new direction for the live-action adaptation after establishing a partnership with Paramount Pictures. "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," he explained, according to a machine translation of an interview with Polish business site PAP Biznes. This approach mirrors the strategy taken with the critically acclaimed anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which presented a new narrative within Night City.
The decision to move away from a direct adaptation is seen by some as a positive step. It allows filmmakers creative freedom to craft a fresh tale, potentially exploring aspects of the Cyberpunk world not deeply delved into in the game. This also avoids the challenges of pacing and adapting V's specific journey to the constraints of a feature film, while sidestepping potential conflicts with players' established headcanons about the game's events.
Previously, CD Projekt Red had only confirmed the partnership with Paramount, with Nowakowski expressing excitement about the collaboration and promising further details at a later time. The exact nature of the original story and its connections to the game's lore remain to be seen, but the commitment to an independent narrative suggests a focus on expanding the Cyberpunk franchise rather than simply translating its existing plot.