Cyberpunk 2077 film will tell a new story in Night City

Cyberpunk 2077 film will tell a new story in Night City

CD Projekt Red has confirmed that its upcoming live-action Cyberpunk 2077 film will not retell the game’s campaign scene for scene. The project is being developed with Paramount Pictures, with the studio now sharing more about its creative direction.

Speaking with Polish business outlet PAP Biznes, CD Projekt Red CEO Michał Nowakowski said the company does not want to make a straightforward film version of the game. Instead, the production will introduce an original story set within the broader Cyberpunk universe.

The film is intended to explore the world of Cyberpunk rather than provide a one-to-one translation of Cyberpunk 2077’s existing story.

A different approach to the Cyberpunk universe

This strategy follows the example set by Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, the acclaimed Netflix animated series. CD Projekt Red partnered with Japanese studio Studio Trigger, known for Kill la Kill and Little Witch Academia, to create a separate narrative in the world of Cyberpunk 2077.

Studio Trigger co-founder Hiroyuki Imaishi directed the series. CD Projekt Red franchise creative director Bartosz Sztybor co-wrote the screenplay with Masahiko Otsuka and Yoshiki Usa. A second season of Edgerunners is scheduled to return on 20 October.

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Edgerunners helped rebuild confidence in the game

Cyberpunk: Edgerunners did more than stand on its own as a successful animated series. Its 2022 release renewed interest in Cyberpunk 2077 after the game’s troubled launch, which was marked by serious console problems and numerous PC issues.

Although the game sold millions of copies following an extensive promotional campaign, its technical state damaged CD Projekt Red’s reputation. Years of updates, fixes and reworks substantially changed the game, and the positive response to Edgerunners helped draw players back to it. A successful film could provide another boost for the franchise.

What is known about the Cyberpunk 2077 film?

Public information about the film’s cast and wider production team remains limited. Producer Lorenzo di Bonaventura is attached to the project, and he is also working on a new live-action Transformers film with Steven Spielberg and Michael Bay for Paramount Pictures.

Di Bonaventura has previously executive produced video-game adaptations, including Dead Rising: Watchtower in 2015 and Doom: Annihilation in 2019. No further cast, release date or detailed plot information has been confirmed in the available announcement.

While the film is still taking shape, its standalone direction could make Night City accessible to viewers who have never played the game. For readers building a gaming space at home, the Arcade Machine Buying Guide covers the key considerations before choosing a cabinet, while arcade machines offer options for a dedicated games room.

For a smaller setup, see RETROCADE’s bartop arcade range. The Cyberpunk film’s details may be scarce for now, but its decision to tell a new story rather than reproduce the game gives the project room to develop its own characters and conflicts.