Why the hell is this game getting a live-action adaptation? CD Projekt Red made some pretty big news today as they announced their working on bringing Cyberpunk 2077 to either the big screen or the silver screen as a live-action adaptation.
I know the game is popular, but does it really warrant a live-action adaptation?
Despite having one of the most horrendous launches in gaming history and its narrative being rather unsuited for a movie/T.V. show adaptation, Cyberpunk 2077 is now officially being developed into a live-action adaptation by CD Projekt RED and Anonymous Content. And, even though I always like to see video games get the live-action adaptation treatment, this case just makes no sense whatsoever!
Am I the only one who really believes that adapting this game into a live-action show or movie makes no sense? Now, don’t get me wrong, the game is definitely very popular and has been one of the highest-selling titles of all time with it surpassing 25M copies sold this month and another 3M sales for the game’s Phantom Liberty DLC. But why is it getting a live-action adaptation?
Not to spoil the game or the plot, but it’s probably one of the weaker aspects of the game in my opinion. Yes, the graphics, general mechanics (after they were fixed), combat, gun play, cyberware implant mechanics, driving mechanics, characters, and customization was all very cool and well done, but the overall story wasn’t the best.
I’m not saying it was bad by any means and I have yet to play the Phantom Liberty DLC to speak about that, but there’s a huge gulf in quality between Witcher 3’s storyline and even Witcher 2’s plot to Cyberpunk’s. And that’s where I have the biggest issue with CD Projekt RED joining up with Anonymous Content to make a live-action adaptation.
Now, for those who don’t know what Anonymous Content is, it’s an entertainment company (aka: one of the smaller Hollywood studios) that has made some very well-known and received movies and shows, such as Spotlight (2016 Academy Awards Best Picture Winner), The Revenant (2016 Golden Globes Best Picture Winner, Leonardo Dicaprio won the 2016 Academy Award for Best Lead Actor for his role in the movie), Mr. Robot (2016 Golden Globe Best Drama Series winner), and Schitt’s Creek (9X Emmy Award winning show over 5 years).
So, if you’re in the market to make a smaller, tighter-budgeted, independent film or show, Anonymous Content is the place to go. On that front, it makes sense why CD Projekt RED has teamed up with the studios’ Head of Television (which would imply the project will be a T.V. show, but it’s not been confirmed as such just yet) Garret Kemble, Director of Development Ryan Schwartz, and Chief Creative Officer David Levine to make this adaptation.
But, as for Anonymous Content, I’m not sure why they have taken this project on as there’s not only far superior video game plots and stories that have yet to be told on the big screen, but there’s also better stories within CD Projekt RED to adapt. I don’t know if Netflix has the sole rights to all The Witcher adaptations, but it would surprise me if they had the adaptation rights to The Witcher video game series that CD Projekt RED thought of, created, and developed.
I mean, it would make sense if they controlled all the book adaptation rights as those would come straight from Andrzej Sapkowski, who is the author and creator of The Witcher universe and novel series, but the video game adaptation rights would have to come from CD Projekt RED. Right?
Even if CD Projekt RED can’t adapt their video games onto the big and silver screens with Anonymous Content without Netflix’s approval/consent, I really think the studio should be focused more on developing the planned 4 WITCHER VIDEO GAME SEQUELS (and the remake of Witcher 1) they have laid out than a Cyberpunk 2077 live-action adaptation.
Seeing as how they have already had to shut down some of their subsidiary studios and revamp one of these sequel projects, focusing on keeping their word and developing great games worthy of The Witcher franchise name must be paramount for them. Or else they’ll just end up like every other overstuffed, unfocused, unproductive gaming studio.
Images Source: Featured Image: (CD Projekt RED) (Cyberpunk 2077 Teaser Trailer – YouTube)
