E3 2019: CD Projekt Red thought it would be impossible to get Keanu Reeves for Cyberpunk 2077



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CD Projekt Red was one of the biggest splashes of the E3 2019. At the press conference of Microsoft, the developer has released a new trailer for his next RPG Cyberpunk 2077. The latter ends with the revelation character and dubbing of Johnny Silverhand. by Keanu Reeves. The acclaimed actor then came on stage to confirm Reeves' involvement.

We met Paweł Sasko, chief designer of the Cyberpunk Quest 2077, to talk about Keanu Reeves' involvement in the game and the evolution of Johnny Silverhand's character. It turns out that Johnny is the second most important character of Cyberpunk 2077, following the first protagonist, V. The full interview was transcribed below, with changes made for consistency. Cyberpunk 2077 is expected to be released on Xbox One, PS4 and PC on April 16, 2020.

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Why Keanu Reeves?

We already had the role of Johnny Silverhand created and prepared in the demo, in this story and we knew that this character would be very important from the beginning until the end of the game. And the fact is that, throughout your interactions with Johnny Silverhand, you can actually create this relationship in different ways. We knew it now and we were looking for an actor who could play that role. And yes, we had some options, but very very early, almost a year ago, there was an idea to try [for Keanu].

Because Keanu is known for playing strong characters who are fighting for something. I think that's a key element. Say, John Wick, right? There he fights to survive. Before that, you have Matrix, where he was fighting for freedom, for freedom. And before that, you had Johnny Mnemonic. All these characters were always strong characters fighting for something. The fact is that Johnny Silverhand is very similar because he is a fighter of something, he is part of a group of samurai. And the Samurai is that rock band, and [Johnny] is a very charismatic guy who comes and acts with a weapon in his hand.

So we were looking for an actor who would suit that. And our commercial branch of Projekt Red CD, they suggested, "Ok, let's try [Keanu]." Because [he fit]but we said, "No, it will never work, it's just impossible." But we decided to go there. So our commercial branch contacted him and we started talking to him and we sent some people to his office to show him what [Cyberpunk 2077] is, what is the role of Johnny Silverhand. We were actually surprised because he discovered this character quite quickly and he even began to suggest, "Okay, maybe I could act like this or that." And we saw that he was entering the role, really. So, of course, we have settled all the details about the contracts, etc. Our business sector is busy, fortunately they managed to do it.

So we had Keanu on the set. We had dressed him. Put it in the animation studio just to see what it looks like. We have completely scanned it to recreate it in the game and it has approved Johnny Silverhand's model – the one we showed in the [E3 2019 trailer] and also whoever is in the [private E3 2019 demo]. In the longer version, you see the role played by Johnny in the game because it is very important. He is actually the one who leads V through many meetings. He has his own agenda, he is not always very nice and he is not always your friend. He is this digital ghost and you see him while others do not.

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Johnny Silverhand was killed in 2020. He was killed by Adam Smasher at Arasaca Towers and he suddenly appears here. [in 2077] and he has a very strong connection with the chip V is trying to steal. This CGI trailer is part of the game, actually. You can play as a quest in the game. [the trailer is] basically the relationship between V and Johnny throughout the match. Now, when we started recording Keanu, he started playing in the character and we said to ourselves, "Wow, okay, he's doing it again." And he was really interested in how it worked. [Keanu is] This is not really a player who plays, but he really cares a lot about games. And he is super smart and very open. He is very humble. That's another thing I can talk about in a moment, but it's very open, you see? And when we started talking and looking [Johnny’s mannerisms] Keanu had a lot of suggestions for the lines.

And then we gave him lines, and our director of adaptation introduced him to the scene by explaining what happens as the director of a film. Keanu started playing and said, "I would like to suggest this or that, or I would do it, actually play like this or that." And it's also the guy who knows very well accepting the returns, you know, I think he was in the habit, that he was headed, but that he was also trying to look for his own vision of the character. And very, very often, he suggested, "Agree, yes, we should change that because it seems more natural, it will be better", and so on.

He was therefore a very good asset in the team. So we recorded the replicas, then set up the demo to see Johnny Silverhand with the body, with the voice, and the result was very positive. I mean, it was not perfect this first time and we had to make some adjustments both on his side and on our side. But there were things that worked almost instantly. And we really started to like this character. And the thing, it's that at the very beginning, we had this vision for Johnny Silverhand, but it was a different vision. It was not completely different, but the Johnny Silverhand we have in the game, it's the version that Keanu saw, or thought about, or thought it would fit.

So [Johnny] is a little different from what we originally imagined, but it's great. I think it's just because [Keanu is] a good help for us. We appreciate all the experience that he has experienced in Hollywood. Because it's a rare thing. Another thing is that all other key players like this one are hard to work with. We have worked with a lot of stars in the past for [some of the Witcher games] and for Cyberpunk, but working with Keanu is much better. Because he can take comments. He is humble He does not try to be a star or to be someone of great caliber. It's really nice to work with him.

I think he was questioned by IGN and they asked him if he anticipated such a reaction on the [E3 stage]. And one of the things he said was, "Nah, it's not me, it's CD Projekt and Cyberpunk, people love them." And I mean, I know that people like CD Projekt. I know that people like Cyberpunk and I really appreciate it, but he got that reaction. I think he's really the only human on earth who can walk on a stage and do nothing but look at people and make everyone lose their shit.

Honestly, I thought I would be the first guy to get up when he came out on a stage, but I was probably the last one. The entire crowd was already standing.

Our office exploded at that time. I do not know if you're ready to talk about it, but could you describe how Johnny's characterization has changed since Keanu's involvement?

I mean, I could, but I probably should not.

Totally good. You've already talked about how Johnny is this digital ghost. So, is he ready for the ride inside V? And is he there for the majority of the game, as from beginning to end, or is Johnny more or less halfway through the story?

No, no, no, it's not halfway there. [Johnny’s introduction] happens at the end of the prologue – which is long. It's a substantial part of the game, but it's still very early. It's not right now, but it's after the events of the CGI trailer. As this trailer is actually a part of the game. You actually play in the first person and through the events that led to that moment when V wakes up at the dump and sees Johnny Silverhand in front of you saying, "Hey, wake up Samurai, we have a city to burn. "

So, Keanu is in a group. Johnny was part of a group in Cyberpunk 2020. Will we hear Keanu sing in Cyberpunk 2077?

Oh, I can not talk about it right now.

I thought I would try. Have you ever considered making Keanu part of this revelation of E3?

Oh yes. When we knew we had it in the game, we knew we were going to use it, which would really show how much we are investing in this project and its characters. [E3 idea] came early enough from our marketing team. Just have him walk on the stage with a really huge shot to make a gigantic impression. And to be honest, our marketing team is wizards. Like, I do not know how they did it. I would not have had that idea.

And so there was this moment when we really had to be very careful, and to make sure that these details did not slip in any way to the press because if they had filtered in any way, everybody would have simply said, "Cool, it's Keanu, we already knew he was coming."

And you kept it somehow completely secretive.

Yeah. We kept it for almost a year. And it was just at a conspiracy level for us.

Given all that has flowed before the E3 2019, it is impressive.

Yes, we used code names and all kinds of things just to make sure no one was running away from them. We had strict rules on how to send it back, just to make sure no one heard about it, because it was such a big thing. And yes, it really worked.

With Johnny in your head, the Cyberpunk 2077 looks like some other games, like Portal with GLaDOS or Halo with Cortana. Is Johnny a static passenger who is only on the way or does he have regular contact and is he moving with V?

No, I understand where these comparisons come from and they are probably justified, but in the game, John Silverhand plays a completely different role. He is both protagonist and antagonist. He has his own agenda. There are things that he wants from life. As if he was a guy who was a freedom fighter, but from a business perspective in 2020, he is probably perceived as a terrorist. And fire in him, like the line that he says – "Wake up Samurai, we have a city to burn." Yeah. He is fucking serious. He is dedicated and has his own goals. The problem is that it's not this passenger who accompanies you, he tries to control you, he tries to touch you in different ways and it's really the player's decision when it is necessary to determine to what extent.

I do not want to say more here because I should ruin this main story and it's an extremely important part of the game, but basically how V relates to Johnny, what they do together, what that they decide together, it's a very important part of the game and, depending on your choices, the consequences will be different and this relationship will develop slightly differently. And at the end of the game epilogue, the outcome of your story depends on what you did with [that relationship].

So, because of that, I do not think that the reference Cortana or that of GLaDOS are justified. I do not want to tell you more. I want to explain how Johnny is different, but I need to tell you exactly what's going on. I would destroy the fun of the game in two minutes.

I should sign an NDA before leaving here.

Exactly.

Johnny is he a secondary character in the story of V or something more?

Johnny Silverhand is one of the main characters. I would say that someone like Jackie is a minor character compared to Johnny Silverhand. Johnny Silverhand is absolutely one of the greatest characters in the game. As the only bigger is V, the main character of the game. As Johnny Silverhand is a second [main character]and the most important. He is present almost all the party. visible and present and interact with the player in a really meaningful way. So yes, I think you'll be surprised at what we did with [V and Johnny’s] relationships. I'm really happy with it, as I work on quests that allow the player to deepen the relationship between Johnny and V in a special way.

So yes, these are the quests I've designed and that I'm putting in place. I just loved them. I hope that players will be happy.

Is Johnny something that only V sees and interacts or will we see Johnny having an outside effect on the other characters and events of the game?

So yes and no. The fact is that Johnny, as a digital ghost, is only seen by V. But that does not mean it does not impact the other characters. But to tell you how, I should disclose the main storyline. So, yes, he is great in the game and he is important and he has an impact on other characters and on the world around him, but that is all I can say. But yes, it's only seen by V. But through V, he can do a lot more things and that's part of their relationship. I would call it a play, they push each other, you know, creating a bit of conflict in their relationship. What you will do with it depends on you.

So, like two psyches in a body, somehow?

You can say it, yes. But I do not want to say more.

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