If you follow Rockstar Games on X (the Everything App formerly known as Twitter), you might have been taken aback when the renowned GTA developer posted about the film Marching Powder and its star, Danny Dyer. Their post read:
From our friends Nick Love and Danny Dyer, the absolute legends behind The Football Factory...@MarchingPowder_ — a proper naughty comedy out tomorrow in the UK and Ireland.
Get tickets now at https://t.co/Zj4EBgRKVO and look out for details on worldwide release soon. pic.twitter.com/15u4DEpeDW
— Rockstar Games (@RockstarGames) March 6, 2025
This unexpected promotion from Rockstar Games to their 21 million followers might have left you wondering about the connection between a small British film and the gaming giant. Let's dive in and explore who Danny Dyer is and why Rockstar would endorse such a film.
Who is Danny Dyer?
Danny Dyer, born Daniel John Dyer, hails from East London and is a celebrated actor in the UK. Known for his portrayal of rough-and-tumble working-class characters, Dyer has earned the moniker of an "absolute legend" – a term synonymous with being funny, reckless, original, and sensitive in just the right measures. Since starting his acting career in 1993, Dyer's outspoken nature and "tough uncle" persona have solidified his reputation. His social media presence is equally entertaining, as evidenced by posts like:
Roll on bonfire night..........it's gonna get strapped to a great big massive fuck off Rocket so it can join the other Furbys in the sky...
— Danny Dyer (@MrDDyer) September 12, 2013
How is Danny Dyer Connected to Rockstar?
For fans of the Grand Theft Auto series, Danny Dyer's voice might ring a bell. He voiced Kent Paul, the manager of the Scottish rock band Love Fist in GTA: Vice City, and later reprised the role in GTA: San Andreas, managing the Gurning Chimps and producing for rapper Madd Dogg. However, Dyer's connection to Rockstar goes beyond voice acting. In 2004, he starred in The Football Factory, a film directed by Nick Love and produced by Rockstar Games. This venture into film production shows Rockstar's interest in diverse storytelling.
Danny Dyer (right, wearing the tan jacket) starred in The Football Factory, which was produced by Rockstar Games. | Image credit: Vertigo Films
Marching Powder, the film promoted by Rockstar, reunites Dyer with Nick Love and touches on themes similar to The Football Factory, such as football hooliganism, heavy drinking, and a gritty British sense of humor. Although Rockstar has no direct involvement with Marching Powder, their endorsement seems to stem from their previous collaboration with Dyer and Love.
Is Vice City's Kent Paul Returning for GTA 6?
As for whether Kent Paul will make a comeback in Grand Theft Auto 6, there's no definitive answer yet. This social media post about Marching Powder certainly doesn't hint at any connection to GTA 6. However, it's worth noting the separation between the 3D and HD universes in the GTA series. The 3D era includes games like Vice City and San Andreas, while the HD era starts with GTA 4. These universes have their own separate storylines and settings.
Tommy Vercetti tackles Kent Paul in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Image credit: Rockstar Games
Despite this division, there have been instances of overlap. For example, Grove Street from San Andreas appears in GTA 5, and characters like Lazlo have appeared across both universes. Moreover, Kent Paul's name is on the Vinewood Walk of Fame in GTA 5, hinting at the possibility of his return. While the Marching Powder post doesn't confirm anything about GTA 6, the door remains open for Kent Paul's potential return.