In addition to the sequel to Cyberpunk 2077, and another project with Netflix, the Cyberpunk IP also has a live-action project in the works. It was announced last year, and has been one of the more exciting things CD Projekt Red has set up, as we know very little about it.
We don’t even know if it’s a movie, TV show, or something else, and it looks like CD Projekt Red is still very much figuring out what the core of this project is as well. In a recent earnings report (the same one that confirmed that The Witcher 4 is in full production and that sales of Cyberpunk 2077 have reached 30 million), CD Projekt Red boss Michał Nowakowski confirmed that the project is still in the concept phase.
In a transcription via VGC clarifies Nowakowski that “the concept stage has different stages of progress, so we’re certainly further along than we were a year ago, but we’re also not yet at the stage where we want to shop around the concept to potential streamers or studios.”
“I would say there’s probably a similar window between here and now as there was between when we announced it about a year ago and today, so within that window I would expect us to be shopping [det] around.”
So maybe you can come back in a year’s time to see how far we can get with the live-action project. Depending on how big CD Projekt Red wants to go with it, it could also be a massive undertaking.
Cyberpunk Live-Action: Still Stuck in ‘Concept Purgatory’ Apparently
Right, so you remember that Cyberpunk 2077 live-action project CD Projekt Red announced last year? The one that promised to bring Keanu Reeves, chrome implants, and questionable fashion choices to our screens? Well, hold onto your cybernetic butts, folks, because it seems we’re still in the “is this even going to happen?” phase.
Now, look, I get it. Making a good video game adaptation is harder than navigating Night City’s underbelly without getting shanked. But a year? A YEAR? You’d think they could at least decide if it’s a film or a series before our collective attention spans evaporate.
The good news, if you can call it that, is that CD Projekt Red’s big cheese, Michał Nowakowski, admitted the project is “further along than we were a year ago”. Which is a bit like saying my hairline is “further along than it was ten years ago”. Technically true, but hardly reassuring.
The real kicker is Nowakowski’s prediction that they’ll “probably” be shopping the concept around to studios and streamers in another year. So, basically, we’re looking at a potential two-year wait just for the initial pitch meeting? By that point, Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty will be old news, and we’ll all be distracted by the inevitable next shiny gaming franchise.
Now, I try to be optimistic. Maybe they’re meticulously crafting a masterpiece that will redefine the genre. Perhaps they’re auditioning Gerard Butler to play Johnny Silverhand with a Scottish accent. But,
frankly, this whole “concept stage purgatory” feels a bit like CD Projekt Red is trying to dodge the inevitable disappointment. It’s like when you agree to a double date but spend the whole evening texting your ex. You know it’s not going anywhere, but you’re too scared to admit defeat.
So, What’s the Verdict?
Look, I’m a sucker for a good cyberpunk dystopia, and I’ll admit, the idea of a live-action Cyberpunk project does get my circuits buzzing. But honestly, unless they pull something truly revolutionary out of their metaphorical cybernetic bag, I’m starting to think this whole thing is just another Cyberpunk 2077 pre-launch hype train set for derailment.
In addition to the highly anticipated sequel to Cyberpunk 2077 and another collaboration with streaming giant Netflix, the Cyberpunk intellectual property is also being transformed into a live-action project. This exciting venture was first announced last year and has generated significant buzz among fans, as details remain shrouded in secrecy.
The format of this live-action project remains a mystery, leaving fans to speculate whether it will take the form of a blockbuster movie or a compelling TV series. CD Projekt Red appears to still be in the early stages of development, carefully crafting the core essence of this ambitious project. In a recent earnings report, which also confirmed that the development of The Witcher 4 is in full swing and that sales of Cyberpunk 2077 have surpassed a remarkable 30 million copies, CD Projekt Red’s chief executive, Michał Nowakowski, provided a crucial update: the live-action project is currently in the concept phase.
According to a transcription obtained from VideoGamesChronicle, Nowakowski elaborated on the project’s progress, stating that “the concept stage has different stages of progress, so we’re certainly further along than we were a year ago, but we’re also not yet at the stage where we want to shop around the concept to potential streamers or studios.”
“Based on our current trajectory,” Nowakowski continued, “I would say there’s probably a similar window between here and now as there was between when we announced it about a year ago and today, so within that window I would expect us to be shopping [it] around.”
Therefore, fans may need to exercise patience for another year before receiving concrete information about the live-action project. Given CD Projekt Red’s ambition and the scope of the Cyberpunk universe, the project could evolve into a truly monumental undertaking.
How could CD Projekt Red leverage a successful live-action adaptation to expand the Cyberpunk universe beyond games?
## Interview: Cyberpunk’s Live-Action Future
**Host:** Welcome back! Today we’re diving into the ever-expanding world of Cyberpunk with our guest, [Guest’s Name], a seasoned gaming journalist and industry insider. [Guest’s Name], thanks for joining us!
**Guest:** Happy to be here. Always excited to talk Cyberpunk.
**Host:** Let’s jump right in. We know CD Projekt Red has a live-action Cyberpunk project in development, but details are scarce. What do we know so far, and what are people most excited about?
**Guest:** Well, as you said, details are minimal, but the anticipation is huge.
The project was announced a year ago and sparked a lot of buzz. What’s tantalizing is the lack of specifics: Is it a movie? TV series? What direction will it take? Fans are hungry for any morsel of information.
[cite [[1](https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/10/05/cdpr-announces-a-live-action-cyberpunk-2077-show-or-movie/)]]
**Host:** Absolutely. CD Projekt Red has been quite quiet about it. Recently, they mentioned it’s still very much in the concept phase. How much stock should we place in that? Is this normal for such a project, or should fans be worried?
**Guest:** It’s a bit of a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it’s understandable they want to do this right. Cyberpunk has a complex world and story. Rushing into production could result in a product that doesn’t live up to expectations.
On the other hand, a year in the concept phase seems long. The comment from Michał Nowakowski, CD Projekt Red’s boss, that they’ll “probably” shop around the concept in another year is a bit concerning. It begs the question: are they struggling to find a direction, or is this a deliberate tactic to manage expectations?
[cite [[1](https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultassi/2023/10/05/cdpr-announces-a-live-action-cyberpunk-2077-show-or-movie/)]]
**Host:** You mention expectations; there’s a lot riding on this project. How important is it for CD Projekt Red to deliver a successful live-action adaptation, not just for Cyberpunk, but for their company’s future?
**Guest:** This could be a defining moment for CD Projekt Red. Their reputation took a hit with the initial Cyberpunk 2077 launch.
A successful live-action project could be a massive win, proving they can deliver on a multi-platform vision for their IP. It would showcase their storytelling prowess and potentially open doors for future adaptations. The stakes are definitely high.
**Host:** Looking ahead, what are your predictions? Can we expect news anytime soon, or will CD Projekt Red continue to keep us in suspense?
**Guest:** Honestly, I wouldn’t expect major breakthroughs until next year, at least. CD Projekt Red seems committed to a slow burn approach, carefully crafting the project behind the scenes.
It’s important to remember they have other priorities: Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty just released, and they’re full speed ahead on The Witcher 4. This live-action adaptation might take a back seat for now, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.
