A live-action film based on CD Projekt Red's Cyberpunk 2077 is reportedly in development at Paramount Pictures, with the studio collaborating on the project. The news was initially reported by Deadline and has since been confirmed by CD Projekt Red's joint-CEO, Michał Nowakowski.
Nowakowski stated on X (formerly Twitter) that CD Projekt Red is "excited about Paramount as a future partner who shares our creative ambitions for the Cyberpunk franchise." He added that the company looks forward to sharing more details in the future. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura, known for his work on films such as The Matrix and the Transformers series, is said to be attached to the project.
This move into live-action film follows the success of the Netflix anime series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. The first season of the anime, released in 2022, was critically well-received and achieved significant viewership. A second season is slated for release in October.
The increasing popularity of live-action adaptations of video game properties, evidenced by the success of series like The Last of Us and Fallout, suggests a growing market for such projects. CD Projekt Red's involvement in a Cyberpunk 2077 adaptation could also be seen as an opportunity to engage with the film medium, following comments from CD Projekt art director Paweł Mielniczuk, who previously described the studio's lack of involvement in the Netflix Witcher adaptation as a "missed opportunity."
CD Projekt Red is also actively developing Cyberpunk 2, the sequel to the 2020 role-playing game. The project is currently in pre-production with a team of nearly 200 individuals. Cyberpunk 2 is expected to expand the franchise's world by introducing a second major city, described as a grim version of Chicago, in addition to the established Night City.
Questions remain regarding the narrative focus of the potential film and casting decisions. The likeness of Johnny Silverhand, a prominent character in Cyberpunk 2077, was based on actor Keanu Reeves, raising speculation about his potential involvement in a live-action adaptation.
Cyberpunk 2077 launched in 2020, facing a challenging reception. However, CD Projekt Red undertook extensive post-launch improvements, culminating in a significant overhaul alongside the Phantom Liberty expansion in 2023, which was met with critical acclaim. Paramount Pictures recently merged with Skydance, a company that has also brought Activision's former leader Bobby Kotick onto its board.