Remember when Ray Liotta’s unmistakable voice brought Tommy Vercetti to life in GTA: Vice City? Or when Samuel L. Jackson’s commanding presence made Officer Tenpenny one of gaming’s most memorable villains? Those star-studded days of Rockstar’s casting approach seem like ancient history now.
Rockstar Games once packed its titles with Hollywood heavyweights, but somewhere along the way, they deliberately changed course. This shift wasn’t just a budget decision—it came from frustrating experiences that shaped how Rockstar approaches storytelling in their virtual worlds.
Why did Rockstar abandon Hollywood talent?
Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser didn’t mince words when explaining why the studio moved away from celebrity voice actors. In a revealing Vulture interview from October 2018, he laid bare the challenges of working with big names:
I don’t want to speak ill of the dead, poor bugger, but we don’t bring in name actors anymore because of their egos and, most important of all, because we believe we get a better sense of immersion using talented actors whose voices you don’t recognize.
This candid admission followed a particularly heated exchange with Burt Reynolds during development. The legendary actor reportedly shouted, “Get the limey out of here,” during an argument with Houser about scene direction. Not exactly the collaborative environment Rockstar was hoping for.
The studio’s experience with Jason Sudeikis, who voiced right-wing radio host Richard Bastion in GTA IV, represented one of their final major celebrity castings. While the Ted Lasso star delivered a memorable performance parodying conservative talk radio, Rockstar was already shifting their philosophy.
This pivot away from celebrity casting wasn’t just about avoiding difficult personalities. Rockstar genuinely believes unknown voices create better immersion—when you hear Trevor Phillips in GTA 5, you’re not thinking, “That’s the guy from that movie.” You’re simply experiencing Trevor in all his raw, unfiltered glory.
The star-studded history of Rockstar Games Universe
Before this philosophical shift, Rockstar assembled impressive celebrity lineups that would make Hollywood producers envious. GTA: Vice City featured Ray Liotta, Dennis Hopper, Burt Reynolds, and Gary Busey—a veritable “who’s who” of 80s and 90s cinema perfectly matched to the game’s Miami Vice aesthetic.
Samuel L. Jackson‘s turn as corrupt officer Frank Tenpenny in San Andreas delivered one of gaming’s most compelling villains. His performance elevated the entire narrative, proving that star power could enhance gaming experiences when properly utilized.
However, this celebrity approach changed dramatically with GTA 5, which featured relatively unknown actors like Shawn Fonteno (Franklin), Ned Luke (Michael), and Steven Ogg (Trevor). Despite lacking Hollywood credentials, these performers delivered iconic performances that helped make GTA 5 the entertainment juggernaut it remains today.
And as GTA 6 approaches with rumored voice actors like Manni L. Perez and Gregory Connors, Rockstar’s philosophy seems unchanged—find talented performers who become the character, not celebrities playing a role.
What do you think about Rockstar’s approach? Do you miss the star power of earlier GTA titles, or do you prefer the immersion of unknown actors? Share your thoughts in the comments!