If you follow Rockstar Games on X (the Everything App formerly known as Twitter), you might have been surprised, confused, or a mix of both when you saw the GTA studio posting about the film Marching Powder and its star, Danny Dyer.
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
Why would Rockstar be promoting a small British film to its massive audience of 21 million followers? And who exactly is Danny Dyer? Let's delve into the details.
Who is Danny Dyer?
Daniel John Dyer, commonly known as Danny Dyer, is an actor hailing from East London. To those in the UK, he's a household name and, as Rockstar's post suggests, an "absolute legend." For those unfamiliar with British slang, the Urban Dictionary defines "legend" as:
“A person who embodies the pinnacle of all the important social aspects. Any person who is funny, reckless, original and sensitive in the right measures is likely to be nominated a legend by his associates. A person to whose persona you aspire.”
Dyer has been acting since 1993 and is renowned for portraying rough-and-ready working-class characters. His public persona is equally notable; he's known for his outspoken views on societal and governmental issues and his "tough uncle" life approach. For instance, in 2010, while offering advice to Zoo magazine readers, Dyer suggested a man recovering from a breakup should go "on a rampage [drinking session] with the boys."
Dyer's social media presence is also beloved for its wild posts, like this one:
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?
If you're a fan of the Grand Theft Auto series, you've likely heard Danny Dyer's voice without realizing it. He voices Kent Paul in GTA: Vice City, the manager of the Scottish rock band Love Fist. He reprised this role in GTA: San Andreas, where Kent managed the Gurning Chimps and later produced for rapper Madd Dogg.
Dyer's more significant connection to Rockstar comes from his involvement in The Football Factory, a 2004 British film directed by Nick Love and produced by Rockstar Games. Yes, Rockstar once ventured into feature film production.
Danny Dyer (right, wearing the tan jacket) starred in The Football Factory, which was produced by Rockstar Games. | Image credit: Vertigo Films
Marching Powder, a new film releasing this week in the UK and Ireland, reunites Dyer with Nick Love. Although not a sequel to The Football Factory, it explores similar themes such as football hooliganism, heavy drinking, drug use, and a uniquely British gritty humor.
Despite the X post, Rockstar has no involvement with Marching Powder. The studio seems to be supporting the film due to its past collaboration with Dyer and Love on The Football Factory.
Is Vice City's Kent Paul Returning for GTA 6?
Short answer: we don't know. The social media post about Marching Powder has no bearing on GTA 6. But let's entertain the possibility. Could Kent Paul make an appearance in Grand Theft Auto 6?
It's crucial to note that the GTA series is divided into two distinct eras: the 3D era (games on PS2 and PSP) and the HD era (from GTA 4 onward). These are considered separate universes, with no direct continuation of storylines or characters from one to the other. This is why GTA 5's Los Santos differs significantly from San Andreas's version, and why characters from the PS2 era don't appear in GTA 4 and GTA 5.
Tommy Vercetti tackles Kent Paul in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Image credit: Rockstar Games
However, there are exceptions. CJ's Grove Street from San Andreas appears in GTA 5, and several gangs from the 3D universe, like the Ballas, are present in the HD universe. Lazlo, the infamous ponytailed character, has appeared across both eras. And notably, Kent Paul has his name on the Vinewood Walk of Fame in GTA 5.
So, could Kent Paul return in GTA 6? It's certainly within the realm of possibility, but the Marching Powder post doesn't provide any clues toward that happening.
