Rockstar Games recently set the world alight when they gave fans a first glimpse of Grand Theft Auto 6 last week.
The company have been quietely working on the title for a number of years, keeping all their secrets under wraps in the process.
GTA 6 is set to be Rockstar’s biggest game yet. When you consider they’ve pumped out successes such as GTA V and Read Dead Redemption over the last decade, that’s quite an achievement.
Fans, understandably, want old characters to return. So GB News now takes a look at those who might – and those who are destined to be left behind.
Tommy Vercetti: Easter eggs but no role
GTA 6: Ray Liotta’s death makes chances of a return for Tommy Vercetti extremely remote
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Ray Liotta played the role of Tommy Vercetti when GTA: Vice City released in 2002.
He immediately became one of the poster boys of the franchise and, at the end of the game, is very much the man with all the power.
With Liotta dying last year, however, chances of Tommy returning appear to be slim.
We’re expecting easter eggs in his honour, while Versetti’s iconic mansion could feature in the game.
When it comes to Vercetti himself appearing, however, fans shouldn’t get their hopes up.
Sure, AI can be used to supply audio for the game. It’s unclear if Liotta’s estate would allow for that to happen, however, and some would argue it would be distasteful to go down that route.
Niko Bellic: A cameo at a push
Niko Bellic is another iconic GTA character.
The Eastern European first featured in 2008’s GTA IV and he immediately won round fans due to his composure and dark sense of humour.\
GTA IV takes place in Liberty City, Rockstars’ take on a fictional New York.
By the end of the game, however, Niko is done with a life of crime.
This is something GTA V echoes with Lester telling Michael De Santa that Niko had ‘gone quiet’ after ‘making moves’ in America.
There might be a brief cameo but it’s hard to see Niko straying far from Liberty City, especially given how he seemed to turn his back on a life of crime come the end of that story.
CJ: No return
CJ is arguably the best GTA protagonist of all time.
Appearing in 2004’s San Andreas, the gangster ended up being the king of Grove Street by the time the credits rolled.
However, the ship for him to return appears to have sailed already.
CJ returning would have made more sense in GTA V given that game is set in Los Santos, a fictional take on Los Angeles.
Therefore, we’re not expecting to see or hear much of the character when the next instalment comes out in 2025.
What about the rest?
Michael De Santa: Ned Luke has hinted he could return but, like many others on this list, it wouldn’t make a whole lot of sense.
Trevor Philips: Trevor is the sort of maniac who could easily jet over to Vice City for some mayhem. Wouldn’t rule it out.
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GTA 6: Niko Bellic first appeared in the popular 2008 game GTA IV
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Franklin Clinton: Had his story finished in GTA V, meaning there’s no real reason for him to return.
Claude: Having last appeared in GTA 3, Rockstars’ favourite mute has been away for too long – which makes a return tricky.
