One of the most significant works of cyberpunk literature, Bruce Sterling's Schismatrix, continues to remain unadapted for film or television. Published in 1985, this work tells a broad science fiction story centered around post-human themes and takes place over a highly fragmented timeline. This aspect is among the factors that complicate the adaptation of the work to the screen.

Schismatrix is set in a world where humans have managed to radically extend their lifespans over a period of 170 years. As the story progresses, it leaves long gaps between many sections, and this complex structure poses challenges for a direct adaptation. The main character's joining of a new faction emphasizes how everything, from humanity's understanding of economy to perceptions of war, has changed.

A film or series would have to redesign its cast, sets, and political rules every twenty minutes, which seems practically impossible. Therefore, adapting Schismatrix emerges as a notably difficult task due to both the depth of the story and its structural complexity.

On the other hand, Apple TV's adaptation of William Gibson's Neuromancer and Prime Video's expansion of the Blade Runner series demonstrate that the cyberpunk genre still garners significant interest. However, the fact that an iconic work like Schismatrix has not been adapted suggests that the potential of this genre has not been fully realized.