While it might be one of the most popular video game franchises, Grand Theft Auto has not yet been given a feature film adaptation. That might seem strange as the recent trend of video game movies continues to grow, but as it turns out, the absence of a movie hasn't been for a lack of trying in Hollywood. As it turns out, according to Kirk Ewing (State of Emergency), a friend of Rockstar founders Sam Houser and Dan Houser, there was a GTA movie in consideration at one point, but the video game company ultimately passed on the idea.
The revelation was made on the BBC podcast Bugzy Malone's Grandest Game (via ComicBook.com). According to Ewing, the GTA movie almost happened sometime after the release of Grand Theft Auto 3, which hit consoles in 2001 to tremendous success. Around this time, an unnamed Hollywood producer approached the studio with an offer of making a live-action film directed by Top Gun helmer Tony Scott and starring hip-hop icon Eminem, who was just getting his acting career launched at this point.
It's not exactly clear why, but the Housers turned down the GTA movie. Perhaps they were leery that a feature film adaptation would do the video games justice, as this was far before more recent films like Sonic the Hedgehog and the new Mortal Kombat would turn the tide with how people feel about video game adaptations. In 2001, we were still less than a decade past the release of the original Super Mario Bros. movie, as well as other heavily-criticized adaptations like Mortal Kombat: Annihilation and Street Fighter. After all, it wasn't until just recently when Nintendo finally decided to give video game movies another try, culminating in a new Super Mario Bros. movie releasing next year.
Grand Theft Auto Remains One of Gaming's Most Popular Brands
The Grand Theft Auto series was spawned in 1997 with the original title, though it was the release of Grand Theft Auto 3 in 2001 that helped turn the franchise into an international juggernaut that remains one of the all-time most popular video game series ever made. The games have inspired countless imitators, but to this day, none seem to have matched the GTA titles as it relates to popularity and quality. It's no surprise whatsoever to know that there have been efforts made to turn the series into a movie, and given that these kinds of adaptations are on the rise in recent years, perhaps there will be new pitches coming to Rockstar Games. But would they be willing to finally pull the trigger on seeing the movie get made?
Meanwhile, the next big adaptation will come next month with the release of The Super Mario Bros. Movie. It hits theaters in April 2023. There are also adaptations coming based on many other popular games, including The Last of Us, Bioshock, Twisted Metal, Five Nights at Freddy's, and another Sonic the Hedgehog movie. The possibility is always there for a GTA adaptation to one day join the fray.