Keanu Reeves has been asked if he'd he come back as Johnny Silverhand for the sequel. His answer was clear. “Absolutely. I’d love to play Johnny Silverhand again.” That is not a formal return, but it sets the tone as CD Projekt Red ramps up work on the next game.
Keanu Reeves on Johnny Silverhand in Cyberpunk 2
In new interviews tied to his film press, Reeves said he wants in on the sequel as Johnny. He did not announce a deal or a story plan. Think of it as interest from the actor, not a plot reveal from the studio.
What is Cybepunk 2's status?
CD Projekt Red has moved the sequel, still nicknamed Project Orion, into pre-production. The core team is building out of the new Boston and Vancouver offices with support from Warsaw. The studio has started referring to it as “Cyberpunk 2” in updates, while reminding everyone that the final name will come later.
The big continuity hurdle
Cyberpunk 2077 ends in different places for V and Johnny. That makes a straight return tricky. So how could the sequel use Johnny?
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New player character, Johnny as presence. Johnny appears in braindances, flashbacks, or archival shards you uncover in the new city.
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Alt timeline within the same branch. The sequel chooses a quiet default for Johnny’s status and keeps his role limited to cameos.
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Digital echo. The world treats engrams as tech that lingers. A copy of Johnny turns up where you least expect it.
All three options avoid forcing a single “canon” ending while keeping Reeves in play.
What the sequel changes around him
The next game is set in a new city that Mike Pondsmith described as “Chicago gone wrong.” Night City still exists, but the focus shifts. The game is also being built on Unreal Engine 5, which should help with performance and pipeline sanity from day one. A new location and new tech make a Johnny cameo easier to stage as a story beat, not a full-time backseat passenger.
Would Johnny be a lead again
He does not need to be. 2077 already gave him a full arc. A strong approach for the sequel is to keep Johnny as a legend you brush up against. Let new characters drive the story in a new city, then use Johnny for texture, music history, and one or two key turns that only he can deliver.
Bottom line
Keanu Reeves wants back in. CD Projekt Red is early on the sequel and has room to thread the needle. A smaller, sharper use of Johnny Silverhand fits both the branching past and a fresh start in a different city. If the schedules line up, do not be surprised if the samurai shows up when it counts.
We still don't know much about Cyberpunk 2077's sequel, so make sure to follow the event on Looking Forward To to stay updated.
