Jack black eyes 1920s burglar for red dead redemption 3

Jack Black isn't lobbying for a Hollywood role in the next Red Dead Redemption film. Instead, the actor has set his sights on a very specific character for the video game sequel: a real-life criminal from the 1920s.

Bowser actor wants to play jack black, the burglar

While Rockstar Games focuses on the imminent launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, whispers persist about a future Red Dead Redemption installment. The original, a critical and commercial triumph selling over 60 million copies, remains a touchstone in gaming, and co-founder Dan Houser himself indicated a sequel “will probably happen.” Roger Clark, the voice of Arthur Morgan, echoed this sentiment in 2023, though he cautioned against expecting a return to the original protagonist.

Black’s interest isn't in a fictional character altogether; he’s fixated on Jack Black, the moniker of a notorious burglar who authored the 1926 autobiography, You Can't Win. The book details a life steeped in crime, addiction, and incarceration across the American West and Canada – a narrative ripe for adaptation.

“Red Dead Redemption 2 takes place around the turn of the century, right?” Black mused during a promotional appearance for The Super Mario Galaxy Movie. “There was a character around that time named Jack Black, who wrote an autobiography called You Can’t Win. I would kinda like to play Jack Black in Red Dead Redemption 3.”

The prospect of Black embodying this historical figure seems far-fetched, given his established career. However, his comments highlight a broader sentiment among fans yearning for a continuation of the Red Dead Redemption saga. The original’s cinematic scope has long been cited as a reason why a film adaptation has remained elusive.

Rockstar Games CEO Strauss Zelnick has repeatedly confirmed the franchise’s importance to the company's future, suggesting a return is only a matter of time. But whether that return will involve a new story, a continuation of Arthur Morgan's journey, or a surprising nod to a forgotten criminal of the past remains to be seen. For now, Jack Black’s unlikely casting wish offers a glimpse into the enduring fascination with the Red Dead Redemption universe.