CD Projekt Red, the developer behind Cyberpunk 2077, has announced a collaboration with Anonymous Content to bring a live-action adaptation of the popular game to life. Anonymous Content, known for producing acclaimed shows like True Detective and Mr. Robot, will work closely with CD Projekt Red on this new venture.
The live-action adaptation is still in its early developmental stages, with the search for a screenwriter underway. CD Projekt Red emphasized that the project is in its infancy, and updates will be provided as it progresses. While it remains uncertain whether the adaptation will be a feature-length film or a TV series, it focuses on creating a brand-new story set in Cyberpunk 2077’s futuristic world.
CD Projekt Red has previous experience in passive media adaptations, notably with the Netflix anime Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which garnered positive reviews and rekindled interest in the game. Cyberpunk 2077 initially faced challenges with a rocky launch, marked by game-breaking bugs and crashes, leading to its removal from the PS4 digital storefronts by Sony. Subsequent updates, hotfixes, and patches to address these issues with the recent 2.0 update and Phantom Liberty expansion contributed to the game’s later and ongoing success.
Anonymous Content’s involvement in the live-action adaptation includes critical figures such as Garrett Kemble, David Levine, Ryan Schwartz, and Bard Dorros, known for their roles in successful projects like True Detective and The Revenant. CD Projekt Red’s collaboration with Anonymous Content signifies a strategic move to expand Cyberpunk 2077’s narrative into new mediums.
The task undertaken is massive, and the team will likely struggle to fulfill expectations since the game already has a movie-like feel to it. Although it’s too early to predict anything, adding this to the fact that Hollywood star Keanu Reeves was featured in the game in likeness, voice, and even his “I’m the cool guy, so I don’t care” attitude, the actors who’ll be in the project will indeed have huge shoes to fill. It’s not uncommon for these projects to stay as rumors and get stuck in the development hell. However, Hollywood hasn’t been able to produce anything significant other than superhero movies, spin-offs, remakes, reboots, and reboots of reboots. And since there have been some very successful video game to TV adaptations like The Witcher and The Last of Us, it’s not far-fetched to assume that the movie or TV industry should be highly motivated not to let this project descend into development hell. Yet, announcing such a project too early will surely build up the anticipation and make it harder to satisfy the audience.
As CD Projekt Red continues to build on the success of Cyberpunk 2077, including the recently released Phantom Liberty expansion and the extensive 2.0 update, the live-action adaptation adds another layer to the evolving Cyberpunk universe. The partnership with Anonymous Content reflects the commitment to delivering a compelling and immersive experience for the game’s fans, expanding its reach beyond interactive gaming.
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