Keanu Reeves May Return as Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2

Keanu Reeves has openly shared his desire to reprise the role of Johnny Silverhand, the rockstar and corporate resistance figure from Cyberpunk 2077, despite the character already being deceased before the first game’s timeline. The series’ creator has now revealed there are potential methods to bring Silverhand back, likely different from the parasitic neuro chip used previously.

During a stream hosted by CD Projekt Red featuring Cyberpunk’s creator Mike Pondsmith, the topic of returning celebrity actors arose. Pondsmith confirmed he is supportive of the idea of Reeves reprising his role in the ongoing storyline, matching the actor’s enthusiasm.

Potential Ways to Reintroduce Johnny Silverhand

Mike Pondsmith commented directly on Keanu Reeves’ interest, saying,

“Not that long ago, I saw that Keanu would like to find a way to come back from the dead and play Johnny again,”

and followed with,

“I have ways to do that, Keanu, contact me.”

Given Johnny Silverhand’s physical death long before the series begins, his return poses narrative challenges. The varied endings of Cyberpunk 2077 further complicate Silverhand’s fate, as any resurrection risks solidifying a canon ending out of multiple player choices.

Some speculate Silverhand could survive beyond the Blackwall as a digital consciousness or AI, but exact details remain unclear as the new game’s storyline develops.

Celebrity Involvement and New Roles in Cyberpunk 2

Mike Pondsmith also mentioned other actors in relation to the series, noting enthusiasm for involving more talent. He remarked,

“Let me get this straight. You got Keanu Reeves, then you get Idris Elba,”

before adding a playful offer to another star:

“What’s next? Scarlet Johansson?… Scarlet, you know, I have roles for you. You can do anything.”

He emphasized that the blend of these actors’ dedication to their parts and their genuine connection with the characters has contributed to the strong performances.

“But, seriously, two things hit me. One, they worked really well for the characters. Two, they were people, actors, who wanted to play those characters so they immersed themselves in it,”

Pondsmith explained, highlighting why the creator welcomes Keanu Reeves’s possible return in Cyberpunk 2, which is currently under development.

Upcoming Multiplayer Features and Development Plans

Alongside story developments, CD Projekt Red appears to be moving forward with multiplayer experiences for Cyberpunk 2. Job listings reveal the search for an engineer skilled in building high-performance online systems and optimizing multiplayer gameplay. This suggests that the sequel will include significant multiplayer elements, adding a new dimension to the Cyberpunk world.

Looking Ahead: What Silverhand’s Return Could Mean

The possibility of Keanu Reeves returning as Johnny Silverhand continues to excite fans while raising questions about narrative direction, given the character’s death and multiple potential endings. Should Silverhand reappear, it could impact how player choices are integrated into the sequel’s storyline. With CD Projekt Red’s current hiring and development focus, Cyberpunk 2 promises fresh content and enhanced multiplayer features, with Reeves’s involvement potentially adding star power and continuity to the series.