Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick has explained what would need to happen for Grand Theft Auto to become a movie or television show, saying an adaptation would require enthusiasm from the people behind its games.
Speaking on The David Rubenstein Show, Zelnick was asked directly whether a GTA movie was in development. He responded by outlining Take-Two’s conditions for adapting its franchises, without announcing a project.
The interview was recorded in New York on 19 October and uploaded to YouTube earlier today.
Creative teams would need to want it
Zelnick said Take-Two approaches extensions of its franchises carefully, with the company’s creative ambitions guiding those decisions.
A film or television project would need backing from the relevant creative teams, who would have to believe it could appeal to and entertain their existing audience.
He also stressed that adaptations carry a risk of failure, describing the company’s threshold for approving one as demanding.
“So we don’t rule it out, but we’re very, very selective,” Zelnick said.
His answer leaves room for a future adaptation, although he offered no production details, potential partners or timetable. The comments also applied to Take-Two’s intellectual property more broadly, rather than setting out a specific GTA film proposal.
GTA’s reach brings high expectations
Earlier in the interview, Zelnick argued that Grand Theft Auto’s worldwide audience makes it one of entertainment’s most valuable properties. He pointed to GTA V’s sales of more than 230 million units while discussing expectations for its successor.
That gives any screen adaptation an enormous potential audience, alongside the challenge of satisfying people familiar with Rockstar’s characters, settings and storytelling.
Zelnick’s own career includes senior roles in film and television, including serving as president and chief operating officer at 20th Century Fox before moving into games.
Take-Two’s current projects include Rockstar’s GTA VI and the Max Payne 1 & 2 remakes being developed by Remedy. A GTA movie remains a possibility rather than an announced addition to that slate.
