Summary
- Idris Elba is interested in starring in a Cyberpunk 2077 movie adaptation with Keanu Reeves.
- Both Elba and Reeves have roles in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Cyberpunk 2077.
- A Cyberpunk 2077 film could mark the first time Elba and Reeves work opposite each other in live-action.
Idris Elba has lent his voice to several video game-related projects, including the upcoming movie adaptation of Sonic the Hedgehog 3. The actor has also expressed his interest in bringing another of his video game characters to life in a big-screen adaptation of Cyberpunk 2077.
Elba appeared in the expansion of CD Projekt Red’s 2020 action roleplaying game which takes place in the futuristic Night City. The actor portrays Solomon Reed in Cyperpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty, a sleeper agent working for the Federal Intelligence Agency who operates out of the expansion’s new district, Dogtown. Alongside his work on Cyberpunk 2077, Elba has voiced Knuckles in three of Paramount’s Sonic the Hedgehog projects. The actor also has voice roles in video game projects such as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and NBA 2K20, making him proficient in both the film and video game worlds.
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Idris Elba Wants To See A Cyberpunk 2077 Movie
While promoting Sonic the Hedgehog 3 in an interview with Screen Rant, Elba was open about his interest in starring in a Cyberpunk 2077 film adaptation. Coincidentally, Cyberpunk 2077 is also a project he shares with another Sonic the Hedgehog 3 actor, Keanu Reeves. Reeves plays Johnny Silverhand in the video game and will soon make his debut in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 voicing Shadow the Hedgehog. It’s the potential of reuniting with Reeves for a Cyberpunk 2077 film that interested Elba the most. “I think if any film could do a live-action rendition, it could be [Cyberpunk 2077], and I think [Reeves’] character and my character together would be, ‘Whoa,’” Elba stated.
I think if any film could do a live-action rendition, it could be [Cyberpunk 2077], and I think [Keanu Reeves’] character and my character together would be, “Whoa.” So, let’s speak that into existence.
The nature of Elba and Reeves’ roles in both Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 means the actors probably did not have much crossover with each other, despite both having large parts in each project. Voice acting roles typically require actors to deliver their performances in the booth separately, so beyond the press and red carpet appearances, it is unlikely that Elba and Reeves have spent much time working together. That’s part of the reason a Cyberpunk 2077 adaptation would be so exciting, as it could allow for Reeves and Elba to finally perform opposite each other in live-action.
A Live-Action Cyberpunk 2077 Project Is In Development Already
A live-action project based on Cyberpunk 2077 is yet to be released. The video game did receive the animated spin-off series Cyberpunk: Edgerunners, which was widely well-received, and another animated project based on Cyberpunk 2077 is also in the works with Netflix. In 2023, CD Projekt Red announced it had partnered with Anonymous Content to develop a live-action project based within the same world as the game. At the time the studio said it was looking to tell a brand-new story in the world of Cyberpunk 2077, rather than a straight adaptation of the game, but it’s unclear what direction development may have gone behind the scenes.
With Elba now clearly interested in reprising his role of Solomon Reed, and the potential to get Reeves on board as Johnny Silverhand as well, a Cyberpunk 2077 adaptation starring both their characters has plenty of potential to be a big hit.
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