Highlights

  • An interview suggested that Ned Luke, who played Michael in GTA 5, may be returning for GTA 6. However, nothing has been confirmed
  • GTA fans are looking for clues about the possible return of recognizable characters from past games, such as Tommy Vercetti, Lance Vance, and Michael De Santa.
  • Ned Luke neither confirmed nor denied the possibility of returning in GTA 6, leaving fans curious about his potential involvement.

Rumor has it that Ned Luke, the actor who famously played Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto 5, could be returning for Grand Theft Auto 6. Rockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto game has been the subject of much speculation over the past few years, and fans finally got their first look with the release of the initial Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer earlier this month. This trailer was light on plot details, instead focusing most of its runtime on establishing the modern Vice City as a place of wild hijinks seemingly pulled from the real-life Florida state it’s based on.

The Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer was filled with plenty of outlandish characters, and eagle-eyed fans have been going through every frame looking for hints of returning favorites from past GTA entries. One popular theory is that GTA 6 will feature an aged Tommy Vercetti, the aspiring gangster players controlled in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City - though this may only amount to a reference due to the passing of Ray Liotta in 2022. Other fans think they spotted Vice City’s Lance Vance walking the streets of Leonida during the Grand Theft Auto 6 trailer. Now it looks like one of GTA 5's most prominent characters could appear as well.

grand theft auto 6 promo art logoless
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Ned Luke, known by gamers as Michael De Santa in Grand Theft Auto 5, recently appeared on Larry Lawton’s YouTube channel for an interview. At the start of the video, Lawton introduces Luke as “Michael from Grand Theft Auto 5 and Grand Theft Auto 6.” Luke himself looks surprised at this apparent revelation, before quickly attempting to clarify things by saying “I'm not in... we don't... GTA 6 is unknown things right now. Just to make that clear.” He then played off Lawton’s slip-of-tongue as a “senior moment” before playing coy at the idea of returning in GTA 6, neither confirming nor denying the possibility.

Michael cocking a pistol in Grand Theft Auto 5 promo art

Fans of 2013’s Grand Theft Auto 5 will remember Ned Luke’s performance as Michael, one of the game’s three playable protagonists. Michael was once an infamous bank robber who faked his death during a botched heist, choosing to retire and raise his family in Los Santos, the fictional city that serves as Rockstar’s answer to Los Angeles. However, when an aspiring criminal named Franklin Clinton approaches him for guidance, Michael quickly finds himself thrust back into the violent life he left behind - especially once his old partner-in-crime Trevor Phillips learns about Michael’s survival.

GTA 6 is unknown things right now. Just to make that clear

Michael could theoretically show up for a cameo or even a full side quest in Grand Theft Auto 6 since at least two of Grand Theft Auto 5’s multiple endings saw Michael live to fight another day. It’s also possible (but less likely) that Ned Luke could be playing an entirely different character, assuming that he even is in Grand Theft Auto 6 at all.