Reeves Makes His Mark: A Look Back at the Making of Cyberpunk 2077

As one of the most beloved actors of the modern era, Keanu Reeves is no stranger to the spotlight. But when the Canadian superstar signed up for Cyberpunk 2077, it was clear the character of Johnny Silverhand was no ordinary role. To set him apart from other leading roles, the development team at CD Projekt RED decided to make their hero far from a nice guy at the beginning of the story.

Pavel Sasko, the game's lead quest designer, revealed this decision at the Game Developers Conference event. The team needed to ensure the player could still identify with the character, despite his rude demeanor. They also needed to create an arc that would take the character from a "horrible person" to someone the player could admire. 

As it turns out, this "star power" was quite the challenge when it came to creating the character of Johnny Silverhand. Lucky for the development team, they had the perfect man for the job in Keanu Reeves. Armed with the actor's inimitable charm and strong presence, the team created a character that was sure to wow the audience. 

And wow, then it did - the unforgettable moment of Keanu Reeves' big reveal at the 2019 E3 event is undoubtedly one of the most iconic moments of the trade show. With his now-legendary lines of 'you're breathtaking,' Reeves created a genuine moment of surprise and joy that nobody in the audience will ever forget.

Now, the actor is ready to take on the role of Solomon Reed in the upcoming Phantom Liberty DLC for Cyberpunk 2077. Many fans are wondering if the development team will work similar magic on Idris Elba, whose worldwide fame could prove another challenge. But no doubt, whatever the outcome, it will be as special as the moment when Johnny Silverhand was revealed at E3.