CD Projekt Says Cyberpunk 2077 Movie Won’t Retell the Game

CD Projekt Red has confirmed that the live-action Cyberpunk 2077 movie won’t be a direct adaptation of the game. Instead, the studio aims to tell a fresh story within the same universe, according to IGN.

This marks the first significant public comment from the company about the project. IGN’s headline reflects the studio’s message: “We Want to Tell a Story in the World of Cyberpunk.” The focus here is on the world, not just V’s journey.

This approach helps the filmmakers avoid a common pitfall for game adaptations. A straight retelling would force them to condense a vast RPG into a two-hour film. Plus, it would have to cover familiar territory that over 420,000 Steam reviewers have already experienced.

By crafting an original story, the filmmakers gain creative freedom. It also allows newcomers to explore Night City without needing prior knowledge. However, this means the film can’t rely on the game’s existing plot points to attract viewers.

Timing is also key. Cyberpunk 2077 launched on December 10, 2020, making the game almost six years old. It still boasts a large player base, with 44,101 online at the moment. Recent reports indicate ongoing interest: DroidDeck claims a 60 FPS Android build, and Polygon listed eight games for players who have finished with Night City.

So far, reports haven’t mentioned a cast, director, or release date. CD Projekt’s statement focuses on the creative direction, leaving production details unclear.

By The Numbers

By The Numbers

Release date	December 10, 2020
Metacritic score	73
Steam reviews	89% positive (420,993 reviews)
Current Steam price	$17.99
Current players	44,101

Community Pulse

The community sentiment from our data skews negative, though the sample is small at just ten signals. This stands in contrast to the 89% positive Steam rating from over 420,000 reviews. The negative signals don’t offer substantial criticism of the film plans. One flagged negative Steam reviewer quipped: “panam didnt take her shoes off.” This joke refers to a specific scene, highlighting how closely players pay attention to even the smallest game details. A movie that bypasses the game’s narrative won’t face the same level of scrutiny, scene by scene.

What To Watch

• Production details: Keep an eye out for announcements regarding the cast, director, and release window. None have been confirmed yet.
• Story connection: Watch how the new story connects to the game’s characters and events, and see if it works as a standalone entry point.
• Player count response: Monitor whether news about the film affects Cyberpunk 2077’s player count, currently at 44,101, and its $17.99 price tag on Steam.