hollywood melon man

Preparations for "Cyberpunk 2077: Corporate Wars" had quietly begun before the release of "La La Land".

Gilbert Jr. has always liked to plan ahead, especially for projects involving a huge worldview.

This time, he will not only continue the dark aesthetics of "Cyberpunk 2077: Prologue", but also push Night City's political conspiracy, technological ethics, and human struggles to a deeper level.

"This is not a simple sequel, but a prequel."

Gilbert Jr. emphasized to the writing team at the first script meeting: "We want the audience to see how Johnny Silverhand went from an idealistic rock star to the most dangerous terrorist in Night City."

The script was written by the Cyberpunk 2077 game screenwriter team and Christopher Markus, a senior screenwriter at Melon Studios.

The story focuses on the Fourth Corporate War in 2023, a global conflict dominated by military technology and the Arasaka Corporation.

In this war, Johnny Silverhand and his band of warriors were involved in a conspiracy that could change the fate of mankind.

Keanu Reeves announced early on through social media that he would join Gilbert's new movie and play Johnny Silverhand again.

Although his life has not been very satisfactory in recent years, his career has been going smoothly, especially last year's "John Wick", which brought him back to the ranks of action stars.

Not to mention, his role as Johnny Silverhand in "Cyberpunk 2077: Prologue" left a deep impression on the audience.

Gilbert Jr. revealed early on that the sequel will tell the story of Johnny Silverhand, the birth of the relic chip, and the secret of the soul killer program.

"Johnny is not a hero in the traditional sense."

Gilbert Jr. said when Keanu Reeves first read the script; "He is selfish, arrogant, and even a little paranoid, but his desire for freedom is real.

We want the audience to love him and hate him at the same time.”

Keanu Reeves is already familiar with this role, and his performance in "Cyberpunk 2077: Prologue" impressed the audience.

Especially the rock scene at the end of the film is still a famous scene that movie fans talk about today.

"The story this time will be even more cruel."

Keanu said in a press release: “Johnny’s rebellion is both personal revenge and a declaration of war against the system.

He was not fighting for justice, but for freedom, even though he himself was not sure what freedom was. "

Charlize Theron also joined the film. Her development has been much smoother in recent years. In the past two years, she has also starred in films such as "Mad Max: Fury Road" and "Sicario". There are also rumors that she will join Marvel.

Charlize Theron's joining has made movie fans excited. Since "The Matrix" trilogy, she has collaborated with Keanu Reeves again, playing Johnny Silverhand's old lover and comrade-in-arms Roger.

Rogue is one of Night City's top mercenaries. He is cold and cunning, but he has complicated feelings for Johnny.

She is not a heroine in the traditional sense, but a ruthless character who walks in the gray area.

"Roger is completely different from the character of Trinity in The Matrix."

Charlize Theron told The Hollywood Reporter: "Trinity is the fighter and Roger is the survivor.

She doesn't believe in ideals, she only believes in interests, but the appearance of Johnny makes her begin to question her beliefs. "

For this role, Charlize Theron underwent two months of special training, including close combat, firearms use, and even learning how to perform mechanical movements after prosthetic modification.

“The hardest part is not the fighting, but making the movements look smooth and mechanical.”

She explained, "Rogge's body has been modified so many times that her fighting style must have an 'inhuman' precision.

The success of Cyberpunk 2077: Prologue is largely due to its unique visual style - neon lights, cybernetic transformations, and dilapidated slums contrasting with towering skyscrapers.

This time, Gilbert decided to go a step further.

“We want to make Night City more realistic.”

Gilbert Jr. said to art director Selina Heffey, “It’s not just about the visual futuristic feel, but also the sense of history.

For example, we want the audience to see that the bottom floors of those skyscrapers have long been decaying, and the walls of the slums are covered with graffiti by protesters. "

In order to create a more realistic cyberpunk world, the crew built a giant real scene in Canada's Cyberpunk Park, and used a combination of real shooting and CGI to ensure that every frame is full of details.

“We referenced the rainy night atmosphere of Blade Runner, but added more dynamic light and shadow.”

Director of photography John Schwartzman explained his ideas to Gilbert Jr.: "For example, in Johnny Silverhand's concert scene, we want the neon lights to flash with the rhythm of the music, so that the audience can feel that crazy immersive feeling."

The action scenes in the previous film were well received, especially the scenes between V and Jack Wells, which were called textbook cyberpunk battles by fans.

At the same time, the previous film also has a bit of suspenseful spy-war style. The scene of stealing the relic chip and the dramatic conflict in which Arasaka Yorinobu strangled Arasaka Saburo are very strong.

This time, Gilbert Jr. wants to go a step further and add more realistic gunfights and cybernetic combat.

"Johnny Silverhand is not Superman, his fighting style is more like a street thug."

Since Gilbert's personal action director Luca Farias was unable to participate in the preparation of the film for some reason, Keanu Reeves recommended Chad Stahelski, the director of "John Wick: Chapter 8".

"Chad has a very unique understanding of gunfights," said Keanu Reeves. "He's good at making the action both gorgeous and real, which is exactly what we need."

After Chad Stahelski came on board, he immediately redesigned the action scenes.

"Johnny's right hand is a prosthetic, so his movements have to be a little 'unnatural'."

Chad explained: "For example, his right hand would be slightly stiff when he fired the gun, and he would be half a beat slower than ordinary people when changing the magazine. These small details would make the character more realistic."

In addition, the film also introduced a new fighting style called cyber combat, which is close combat between cyborgs.

"Imagine two fully modified warriors fighting each other. Their fists can transform, their arms can eject blades, and they can even temporarily 'hack' into each other's prosthetics."

Chad said excitedly, "This will be an unprecedented action scene in film history!"

In addition to the innovation in action scenes, the creative team also came up with some unique ideas in music.

Music has always been the soul of the Cyberpunk world. In Cyberpunk 2077: Corporate Wars, the songs of Johnny Silverhand's rock band Samurai have become a signature element of the film.

“We want the music to be more than just background, but the core of the narrative.”

Composer Tom Holkenberg said: "For example, the scenes with the Arasaka Group will use cold electronic music, while the scenes in the slums will add more industrial rock."

In addition, the film will introduce a new virtual idol character Liz Weisz, whose holographic concert will become an important cultural symbol of Night City. This role will be guest-starred by Avril Lavigne.

"Liz Weisz is a virtual idol created by the Arasaka Corporation. Her music style is both sweet and dark."

Avril said in an interview, "Her existence satirizes the cyberpunk society that values ​​entertainment to death, but her singing is the comfort of countless people at the bottom of society."

At the end of September, "Cyberpunk 2077: Corporations at War" held a grand opening ceremony on a set in Canada.

Keanu Reeves gave each staff member a bottle of whiskey as per tradition, which has been his habit for many years.

“Hopefully this shoot goes well.”

Keanu raised his glass and laughed, "After all, we don't want to go through the high-intensity action scenes like The Matrix again."

Little Gilbert also smiled: "Don't worry, although the action scenes this time are difficult, they won't make you so tired that you doubt your life."

However, the filming was not smooth sailing.

There are a lot of scenes in the film that need to be shot practically, especially the streets and slums of Night City. However, due to budget constraints, some scenes must rely on CGI.

"We have to find a balance between real scenes and CGI," said Paul Franklin, special effects supervisor from Industrial Light & Magic. "For example, skyscrapers can be shot with models, but the crowds and neon lights must be synthesized in post-production."

In addition, how to complete the prosthetic performance is also a problem.

In order to play the role of Johnny Silverhand's mechanical right hand well, Keanu Reeves specially studied the movement habits of amputees.

"The most difficult part is not to imitate the mechanical feeling, but to make the audience believe that this hand can really 'think'."

Keanu Reeves said: "For example, when Johnny is angry, his right hand will unconsciously clench and even make a slight mechanical sound."

Charlize Theron's action scenes were also a big challenge. She has a lot of experience in action scenes, but this filming still caused her a lot of trouble.

"In that scene, Roger fights a fully transformed killer in a narrow corridor."

She later recalled: "We shot more than 20 takes, my knees were worn out, but Gilbert Jr. was still not satisfied."

Ultimately, this scene becomes one of the best action scenes in the film.

In an interview on the set, Gilbert Jr. revealed that the goal of "Cyberpunk 2077: Corporations at War" is to match and surpass "The Matrix".

“The Matrix explores the boundary between virtuality and reality, while Cyberpunk 2077 explores the boundary between technology and humanity.”

He said: "In this world, humans constantly transform themselves in order to survive, but eventually lose their 'humanity'.

Johnny Silverhand's rebellion is essentially a challenge to the definition of 'human'."

The ending of the film will be controversial for the audience. Johnny Silverhand eventually detonates Arasaka Tower, but does his sacrifice change the world?

“That’s the beauty of cyberpunk.”

Little Gilbert smiled and said, "There is no absolute hero, and there is no absolute victory. Night City is always dark, but there are always people willing to burn themselves for a ray of light."

As the filming enters its climax, the ambitions of "Cyberpunk 2077: Corporations at War" become increasingly clear.

It is not only a science fiction action film, but also a philosophical allegory about freedom, resistance and technological alienation.

“I hope that when the audience walks out of the theater, they will think about a question.”

Gilbert Jr. posted several stills on social media and said: "When technology allows you to do everything, are you still a 'human'?"

The moment the lights go out, the neon lights of Night City pulsate in the darkness like blood vessels.

Keanu Reeves stood in the center of the set of the ruins of Arasaka Tower, his mechanical right hand hanging at his side, his fingertips trembling slightly due to an electrical fault.

This scene is the end of Johnny Silverhand. He will detonate the micro-nuclear bomb hidden in his prosthetic body and perish together with Arasaka Tower.

"The last rehearsal."

Little Gilbert's voice came from the intercom: "Johnny, your anger at this moment is not roaring, but silence."

Keanu nodded and closed his eyes.

He recalled the long conversation he had with Ben and several screenwriters before filming began. Gilbert Jr. explained that Johnny Silverhand never regarded himself as a savior. His resistance was selfish and broken, but also real.

Johnny Silverhand stumbled through the burning corridor, and Roger's voice flashed beside him. She was talking to Johnny Silverhand, telling him to leave quickly.

Johnny Silverhand refused, and Roger said, "You're always like this... taking explosion as the answer."

Her voice was filled with electric noise, but the corners of her mouth raised a familiar sarcasm.

Johnny didn't answer. His eyes fell on the control terminal at the end of the corridor, which was connected to the global network of the Arasaka Group.

The detonation procedure required his biometric authentication. He pressed it with his modified right hand, and Night City was about to witness the most spectacular fireworks in history.

“This is not for justice.”

Johnny suddenly said to the air, as if to convince himself: "It's just that I'm tired of being their toy."

The camera zooms out, and his silhouette overlaps with graffiti on the wall: a skull with its middle finger raised, with the words "Resistance is useless, but it feels good" scrawled below.

Flashbacks interspersed with reality, in 2023, on the eve of the Fourth Corporate War, the Samurai Band performed at an abandoned nuclear power plant. The audience consisted of only a few dozen ragged homeless people and a few military-tech spies.

Johnny Silverhand smashed his guitar and screamed into the microphone: "They want us to be scared? Then burn the damn world down!"

Sam the drummer drummed frantically, the rhythm eerily synced with the sound of gunfire exchanging in the distance.

This scene was filmed using real-time motion capture + virtual photography. Keanu's performance was converted into a 3D model in the style of the game, and then integrated with the real scene.

Special effects supervisor Paul Franklin explained: "We want the audience to not be able to tell whether this is a memory, a game clip, or Johnny's hallucination before his death."

Music director Tom Holkenberg named the score "Beyond the Black Wall," a mix of industrial noise, distorted guitar, and a hidden Morse code.

After decoding, it turned out to be Johnny's last words: "Tell Roger that she still owes me whiskey."

At the same time, Charlize Theron was filming the most complicated action scene in the film in the next studio: Rogue taking on the Arasaka special forces alone.

Her character's body is 40% prosthetic, so the action design must reflect the inhuman feeling.

Chad Stahelski designed a set of anti-joint fighting techniques: Roger's knees can flip 180 degrees, and his elbows can pop out mantis knives. Every attack is mechanically precise and cruel.

"stop!"

Little Gilbert suddenly yelled, "Rogge should be malfunctioning at this time. Her visual system has been hacked."

So Gilbert Jr. used Rogge's subjective lens to narrate the story. Rogge's vision turned into broken pixels, the enemy turned into data streams, and she continued to fight with muscle memory.

This scene took 14 days to shoot, and Charlize's bruised knee was made into a prosthetic injury effect in post-production.

The most interesting part is Avril Lavigne's cameo, in which she plays the virtual idol Lizzie Weisz, who has a holographic concert in the film.

Her image is based on Hatsune Miku from the island country and Joey from Blade Runner, but her core is darker.

The stage is a giant advertising screen sponsored by Arasaka, and the lyrics are ostensibly a love song, but in reality they are a veiled satire on corporate slavery: "My dear, give me your soul... I will store it in the cloud, forever beautiful."

During the filming, Avril's singing voice was modulated into electronic sound in real time, and her pupils were enlarged to inhuman proportions using special effects.

"Liz represents the ultimate irony of the cyberpunk world."

Gilbert Jr. said of Avril Lavigne: "People know she's a product of technology, but they still go crazy over her."

Back to Johnny's final scene. His hand hovering over the detonation button, Roger suddenly utters an unscripted line: "You're actually scared, right? Afraid that you won't even be able to be a data ghost after you die."

Keanu Reeves improvised and grinned: "Fuck, you saw through me."

The moment the button was pressed, the special effects team detonated a 200-kilogram gasoline bomb and flames engulfed the screen.

It was a great scene, but not nearly as dark as the finale. Johnny Silverhand survived the explosion and met Saburo Arasaka, the local tyrant of Arasaka.

Then, his data was harvested by the Soul Killer and he became one of the experimental subjects.

It can be said that although the action scenes in the whole film are very cool and refreshing, judging from the content of the story, one will feel a deep sense of powerlessness.

Gilbert Jr. also arranged an extra Easter egg content, in which Johnny Silverhand appeared in V's mind and strangled her neck.

The story of the third part begins here. (End of this chapter)