Following on the coattails of successful DLC and a major anime adaptation, one of gaming's hottest IPs is finally getting the live-action treatment! Here's everything we know about Cyberpunk's live-action adaptation so far.
On October 5, 2023, CD PROJEKT RED announced that they were officially working on a live-action project set within the world of 2077 alongside production company Anonymous Content.
Cyberpunk Live-Action Plot: What Will the Project Cover?
Right now, it's not known what the live-action Cyberpunk project will cover in terms of the story, but it's unlikely to be a straight adaptation of the game.
In the initial announcement, CD PROJEKT RED said they were "searching for a screenwriter to tell a brand-new story set in the world of Cyberpunk 2077." This suggests they will take a similar approach to the project as they took with Edgerunners.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, an anime adaptation that aired in 2022, was a new story set within the same world of 2077, but before the events of the game. The story follows David, a kid who loses everything and joins a small-time gang to survive.
Beyond a few retro-fitted easter eggs, the events of Edgerunners have no tangible impact on the videogame. However, the adaptation was lauded for its storytelling and characters, both by new fans and players.
While unconfirmed, it's likely the live-action adaptation will take a similar approach. Expect to see brand-new characters in a self-contained story that touches upon the themes and big pillars of the videogame but doesn't include characters or events from the game itself.
Read More: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners vs Cyberpunk 2077: Key Similarities & Differences Explained
Cyberpunk Live-Action Project Release Date Speculation
Right now, it's not known when the live-action Cyberpunk project will be released. However, it's unlikely to be anytime soon.
CD PROJEKT RED has said the project is at "an early development phase" and stressed their partnership with Anonymous Content was progressing. Add to this that there is currently no screenwriter and you get a feel for how early in development the project is currently.
Usually, it'll take a few years for a show to go from concept to premiere. Anonymous Content's True Detective was scripted in 2012 but didn't air until 2014.
The One Piece Netflix series – another major live-action adaptation – delivered a similar announcement to CD PROJECT RED and Anonymous Content in 2017 before premiering in 2023.
Even a most optimistic estimation for the Cyberpunk live-action adaptation would put a potential release date at some point in 2025 or 2026. However, it's equally likely right now that fans might be waiting even longer.
Who is Working on the Cyberpunk Live-Action Project?
So far, the only announcements regarding staff for the Cyberpunk live-action project have been at the production level.
As the main announcement explains, CD PROJEKT RED is collaborating with Anonymous Content, including their Chief Creative Officer David Levine, who was previously Co-Head of Drama at HBO.
Anonymous Content has produced various award-winning TV series and movies. Perhaps the most interesting mentioned in the press release, however, are True Detective and Mr. Robot.
True Detective is mentioned three times in the press release, which could be an indication as to what kind of style they want to go for with this project.
The release says the project, while produced by Anonymous Content, "will be developed in close collaboration with the Cyberpunk 2077 creative team."
The project is unlikely to involve Rafał Jaki, writer and CDPR's lead on Edgerunners, who has since left the company.
Once more news on the Cyberpunk live-action project is announced, we will update this page, so stay tuned!