When Cyberpunk 2077 launched in December 2020, its release was almost as turbulent as Night City itself. Technical problems, performance issues, and the eventual removal of the game from the PlayStation Store made for a rocky debut. Despite the troubled launch, I still really enjoyed Cyberpunk 2077, and it was a welcome break from the usual medieval fantasy RPGs I’m usually playing.
I believe that the upcoming Cyberpunk movie has an advantage the game never did: the freedom to tell one focused story without player choices complicating its central narrative, and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners has already proved that Night City has plenty of stories worth telling. There are many backroom deals and underground mercenary contracts that the main story can only touch on, which gives the new Cyberpunk movie room to explore a different corner of the world. Making Night City feel bigger than one character could be the key to the movie’s success, while also rewarding longtime fans with a brand-new story: a balance that is imperative while navigating such an established franchise.
Cyberpunk 2077’s Biggest Strength Could Become a Movie’s Biggest Challenge
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Dominik Bošnjak / Game Rant | Source image: CD Projekt Red -
Image via CD Projekt RED -
Image via R. Talsorian Games
The October 8 announcement has already chronicled a few important details for the upcoming live-action movie. Paramount Pictures will be developing the film alongside CD Projekt Red, which promises some of the game’s influence. The announcement also reported that Lorenzo di Bonaventura, known for his work on the Transformers films, is attached to the project. However, the plot, cast, director, and release date have not been announced.
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The movie already has a huge world to draw from. The game combines a central story about V and Johnny Silverhand with corporate conspiracies and gang conflicts, while Cyberpunk: Edgerunners explores Night City through David Martinez’s tragic rise as a mercenary. Both have brought immense depth and rich lore to Night City, so it would be perfectly reasonable to introduce a new face to the story while keeping Cyberpunk 2077’s classic themes of ambition, survival, and the cost of chasing power.
Cyberpunk Edgerunners Already Proved Night City Doesn’t Need V
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Image via CD Projekt Red -
Image via CD Projekt Red -
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was released on Netflix in September 2022, and I remember watching it on my age-old laptop, which just about got through the 10 episodes. David Martinez’ journey from struggling teenager to formidable mercenary was enthralling to follow, with his reliance on cybernetic enhancements reflecting the core of Night City’s technological temptations. Its self-contained story gave viewers a complete narrative, while making Night City feel bigger. I found the plurality of the technology, corporate power, and dark outlook amongst bright neon lights an electrifying blend, especially as someone who enjoyed Psycho Pass and Chainsaw Man. With Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Season 2 set to arrive to Netflix on October 20, we have the opportunity to see even more of what Night City is capable of.
The September 2022 Edgerunners update actually added anime-related content to the game, including a quest where you could obtain David’s iconic yellow jacket. CD Projekt Red explained that the game and anime were designed to fit together organically, despite telling different stories.
But the main reason Cyberpunk: Edgerunners was exciting was because it seemed to run alongside the game, with occasional touches on V’s own journey. It wasn’t completely disconnected, and CD Projekt Red deliberately tethered the two. The movie has a great opportunity to use the same formula as the anime, and includes familiar locations, corporations and technology. This would also allow a clear reference to the canon Night City without confusing viewers who haven’t interacted with Cyberpunk 2077 and Cyberpunk: Edgerunners. Ultimately, I think it would be a bad idea to limit the movie to an existing Cyberpunk audience, but similarly, it should not stray too far away from the Night City we know and love. Finding a balance may be difficult, but I think that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners showed us that it’s more than achievable.
An Original Protagonist Could Show Us a Different Side of Night City
The best way to approach this movie could be by introducing a new protagonist. This would immediately remove any pressure to follow V’s exact storyline in Cyberpunk 2077, while still rewarding fans with new content. There’s plenty of room in Night City that the movie could use to add to its mythos, rather than attempting to replicate what’s already out there. I think of how many existing stories and events have taken place in Gotham City, which I never get tired of. If the Cyberpunk movie takes a similar direction, it could expand Night City in ways that keep longtime fans while giving newcomers a reason to explore the franchise.
It should not stray too far away from the Night City we know and love. Finding a balance may be difficult, but I think that Cyberpunk: Edgerunners showed us that it’s more than achievable.
Of course, some fans may prefer to see familiar characters like V return to their screens. However, adapting the game’s story could mean making creative choices that don’t align with every player’s experience. By introducing a new protagonist, I think that the movie could sidestep these expectations and focus on telling a new, compelling story.
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Isn’t The Only Extension of Night City
The franchise has also explored Night City through comics like Cyberpunk 2077: Trauma Team and You Have My Word. These also prove that V’s journey is only one small part of a larger world, giving the upcoming movie plenty of opportunity to explore new perspectives. By drawing on this wider universe, even longtime fans could be introduced to corners of Night City they haven’t had a chance to explore yet.
The Cyberpunk Movie Should Expand the Franchise, Not Retell It
The Cyberpunk movie has more to gain from expanding Night City than retracing V’s footsteps. Cyberpunk 2077 already gives players a chance to shape their own version of V’s journey, while Cyberpunk: Edgerunners proves that a new protagonist can be equally compelling. I think that a live-action film could carefully build on both successes if it introduces its own characters and conflicts. As long as it doesn’t lose its themes of corporate corruption, technological excess, and moral compromises, it has a real shot at deepening the franchise’s lore.
I also see it as a promising start that Paramount Pictures is developing the movie alongside CD Projekt Red. That way, there’s an opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to a world that has plenty of stories left to tell. Seeing another side of Night City is crucial to the movie’s success, and in a city this vast, there are plenty of other stories to tell.
- Released
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December 10, 2020
- ESRB
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M for Mature: Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs and Alcohol
