As a film enthusiast in his past life, Aoyama was undoubtedly a fan of Director Nolan.
From The Dark Knight to Tenet, the name Chris Nolan stood for a streak of critically and commercially successful blockbusters.
So when Chris Nolan stood before him, declaring his intent to adapt Edgerunners, Aoyama felt a genuine flutter of excitement.
Coupled with Nolan's passionate speech from moments ago, Aoyama made his decision on the spot.
"Excellent."
Aoyama's eyes shone with focus. "To be honest, I've been a fan of your work for a long time. With you at the helm, I have confidence in the film adaptation."
Chris Nolan and Miles both lit up with delight.
Since Aoyama was a fan...
This was in the bag.
"However, I'd love to hear if you have any other directions in mind for the adaptation," Aoyama asked with curiosity.
To be fair, Chris Nolan was a master with distinct visions.
Even when adapting the Batman comic franchises, he never strictly followed the source material point-for-point.
If a director simply copy-pasted the original plot without adding or subtractive creative layers, there was no point in hiring a maestro. An average director could manage that.
That was definitely not Nolan's style.
Chris Nolan nodded. "I do have a few directions. I've already drafted some core concepts before arriving..."
He then began detailing his vision, adding subtle layers on top of the existing Edgerunners foundation.
Crucially, these additions didn't warp the core narrative beat.
Instead, they injected a greater sense of nihilism and anti-dystopian reflection,akin to how his The Dark Knight added layers of chaotic philosophy to the Joker.
It made the original premise hit closer to home, leaving a heavier mental impact.
Aoyama was deeply impressed. Just listening to Nolan explain it generated cinematic visuals inside his head.
"...What do you think?" Chris Nolan asked, looking at Aoyama.
He looked around like a student concluding a thesis defense, awaiting his professor's final verdict.
"Very... good!"
Aoyama gave a fully enthusiastic thumbs-up. "I completely agree with your direction. The film rights are Yours."
"Hiroshi-san, you don't mind me making this executive decision, do you?" Aoyama looked at Hiroshi Oumi.
Hiroshi chuckled. "Since Aoyama-sensei approves, what other opinion could we possibly have?"
Miles and Chris both smiled in relief. They had officially achieved their primary mission for this trip.
"Wonderful. Thank you, my friends!" Miles said.
The contract signing followed shortly and smoothly without suspense.
Soon, WB Pictures successfully acquired the film and television rights for Cyberpunk 2077: Edgerunners at a price of 900 million Yen.
This bundle price was significantly higher than the 300 million Yen Cretaceous Park commanded.
Of course, no one inside the room knew that executives at Fox were currently grinding their teeth over getting passed up with their higher offer.
To seal the deal, Aoyama and Chris Nolan snapped a photo together, exchanging autographs and posting them to their respective social matrixes.
---
The announcement triggered a massive explosion of online discussion among fans.
{Waking up to this... Edgerunners is getting adapted into a live-action movie?!}
{It's just securing the rights for now. It's a WB and Nolan collab, but any actors or crews haven't even been set yet.}
{Hearing that makes me highly curious about the casting. Who will play David? Can't be too old, David is young!}
{And David goes through different timeframes. Before extreme enhancements, he was super thin, and later became a muscle beast.}
{What about Lucy? Highly anticipating Lucy's actor too!}
{And Rebecca, and Maine!}
{Feels like casting will be hell. And that cybernetic warping... VFX needs to be top-tier.}
{Top-tier VFX is the only way it works!}
{Speaking of which, the anime isn't even out yet, and movie is already greenlit...}
{Definitely not coming out anytime soon. Post-production for Edgerunners takes forever. Give it a year or two.}
{Wait, look! The Edgerunners anime trailer is out! And theme songs!}
{Holy crap! So fast! I'm going to check it out!}
---
Seizing the momentum, the Edgerunners anime Production Team released a teaser trailer and two version theme tracks that were nearing completion.
In reality, the anime was only halfway through production, hovering right around Maine's death scene.
But that didn't stop Animation from riding the viral wave to fuel further anticipation.
Upon seeing the updates, fans immediately flooded the stream to take a look.
Amidst high-pacing, high-energy tracks, the iconic action boards from the manga translated beautifully into fluid animated visuals.
Han Fumito searched the teaser on his home computer and clicked play.
The opening was Lucy lighting a cigarette, looking identical to her manga counterpart.
But seeing her move,with the glowing hair colors flickering,made her feel alive.
"I have no father, nor do I have any cash."
"In that condition, why don't you simply quit school?"
"Because that was my mother's dream."
"But that isn't your dream... here, let me show you something nice..."
The scene opened with the meeting between David and Lucy before the Cyber-Scam encounter.
Then it glitched out violently, transitioning into intense cinematic combat.
Pilar, Kiwi, Rebecca, Dorio, and Maine,each character rendered into fluid animation.
The previous fights flashed by:
Stealing the car...
Saving Rebecca...
Pilar's death...
Capturing Tanaka...
Even battles leading into Maine's final sacrifice flashed beautifully in the teaser.
Finally, accompanied by a dramatic swelling soundtrack, the screen faded to complete black.
Only David's voice actor remained, speaking into the darkness. "I'm okay."
"I have nothing left to lose. I want to help you achieve your dream!"
"That is my dream now. As long as I can help you reach it, losing everything else doesn't matter..."
The last line spoke, fading out softly: "I'm sorry, we won't be able to go to the moon together."
[Translated and Rewritten by Shika_Kagura]