MOVIE NEWS – Apple TV+ is preparing to bring Neuromancer to screens in 2026, offering science fiction fans a long-awaited successor to Netflix’s prematurely canceled Altered Carbon. The cyberpunk genre has lacked a flagship series capable of blending high-concept technology with existential questions. William Gibson’s seminal work now aims to fill that void.

Cyberpunk devotees should take notice, as Apple TV+’s upcoming Neuromancer may finally stand in for Netflix’s critically praised but short-lived Altered Carbon. The latter enjoyed two highly successful seasons between 2018 and 2020 before being abruptly canceled. With Gibson’s genre-defining novel stepping into the spotlight, a new chapter of cyberpunk storytelling is on the horizon.

Adapted from William Gibson’s 1984 novel, Neuromancer centers on Case, a skilled hacker recruited by a shadowy collective of artificial intelligences to carry out a dangerous heist. The original book established the fundamental rules of cyberspace and shaped the cyberpunk aesthetic as we know it today. The series is expected to revisit the technological and philosophical ideas left unresolved by Altered Carbon’s early ending.

Altered Carbon Expanded the Cybernetic Ideas Born in Neuromancer

Set far in the future, Altered Carbon examined the meaning of humanity in a world dominated by advanced technology. Based on Richard K. Morgan’s novel, the story unfolds in Bay City in the year 2384, where human consciousness is stored in spinal implants known as cortical stacks. These digital identities can be transferred between bodies, allowing the elite to transcend mortality.

The narrative follows Takeshi Kovacs, a former soldier and the last known member of the Envoys, a rebel force eradicated centuries earlier. Offered freedom in exchange for solving the murder of a powerful elite figure, Kovacs must navigate a moral minefield. His choices force him to confront the cost of serving those who control society.

By exploring themes of identity, power, artificial intelligence, and the boundaries between human and machine, Altered Carbon modernized the ideas introduced in Neuromancer. Although its run was tragically brief, the upcoming adaptation of Gibson’s novel has the opportunity to carry those concepts forward. Its 2026 debut could restore balance to the cyberpunk landscape.

Neuromancer Defined Cyberpunk, and Altered Carbon Built Upon It

As the literary foundation of cyberpunk, Neuromancer is uniquely positioned to replace Altered Carbon for genre enthusiasts. Through Case’s journey, Gibson introduced the idea of “jacking in,” a term describing human entry into cyberspace via biomechanical means. This concept became a cornerstone of cyberpunk fiction.

The act of jacking in can be seen as a precursor to the stacking and sleeving technology depicted in Altered Carbon. Likewise, the virtual environments of both stories share striking similarities, reinforcing their thematic connection. Together, they form a continuous exploration of digital existence.

The grim cityscapes, corporate dominance, and moral decay portrayed in both series visually and philosophically align them. For fans still mourning Altered Carbon, revisiting the origins of cyberpunk through Neuromancer offers both closure and renewed fascination. In doing so, the adaptation promises to bridge the gap left behind.

Source: MovieWeb