It was the year 2001 and ‘Grand Theft Auto’ (‘GTA’ for friends) had released its third part, the first in three dimensions destined for PlayStation 2, although shortly after it would reach Windows and Xbox. In just three months on sale, ‘GTA III’ became the most successful game of the year, and Rockstar founders Sam and Dan Houser, they did not imagine that Hollywood would not only be interested in their saga, but that they would give them the almost manufactured adaptation.
Grand Theft Movie
According to Kirk Ewing on the BBC Bugzy Malone’s Greatest Game podcast, which examines the story of the saga in seven episodes, a producer approached them with five million dollars with the idea of buying the rights to make a film directed by Tony Scott, who had just filmed ‘Spy game’ and starring neither more nor less than Eminemwho still had a year left to debut on ‘8 miles’.
Although the Houser brothers had considered ideas for the possible film, as soon as they had the proposal on the table, they said “No” and the subject was not discussed again. “At that point they backed out of any conversation about making a movie when they realized that the franchise they had was bigger than any movie was going to be done at the time,” says Ewing.
The possibility that Rockstar may be interested in making an adaptation of ‘GTA’ has been rumored several times, but seeing the result of the video games, chances are they don’t want to tarnish them by risking taking them to Hollywood. By the way, yes: Roger Corman produced a film in 1977 directed by Ron Howard and titled ‘Grand Theft Auto’, but after fixing it in court, currently Rockstar owns all rights to the title, prohibiting the remake of that tape. If something doesn’t need Hollywood now it’s more drama.