CD Projekt Red has revealed new details about its planned live-action Cyberpunk 2077 project, clarifying that it will not be a direct adaptation of the game's existing story. Instead, the studio aims to craft a new narrative that exists within the established world of Night City.
"We decided that we would conduct a live-action Cyberpunk project in a new formula," said CD Projekt co-CEO Michał Nowakowski in a statement translated from Polish. "At this point, we can only say that we definitely don't want to make a film adaptation of the game. 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 studio's previous contract with Anonymous Content for this project has expired, and a new collaboration has been established with Paramount Pictures. This marks a shift from the initial plans announced in 2023 for a live-action project.
CD Projekt Red appears to be taking inspiration from successful game-to-screen adaptations that forge their own path within established universes. Titles like Cyberpunk: Edgerunners and the Resident Evil films are cited as examples of how creators can build upon existing settings without rigidly adhering to the source material's plot. This approach allows for greater creative freedom, avoiding direct comparisons to the game and opening up possibilities for new stories and characters within the rich lore of Cyberpunk 2077. The world of Night City offers a vast landscape for new narratives, potentially tied indirectly to the game through references or cameos.
While an exact release date for the Cyberpunk project has not been announced, the animated series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners is set to receive a second season on Netflix on October 20.