If Red Dead Redemption had a television adaptation, there is already an actor willing to play Arthur Morgan… and for free

The interest in video game adaptations has increased significantly in recent years, becoming a phenomenon that has captured the attention of both critics and fans. Titles like The Last of Us and Arcane have shown that stories drawn from video games can be successful in other formats. Among the franchises that resonate strongly within the community is Red Dead Redemption 2, whose protagonist, Arthur Morgan, has generated a cult following due to his complexity and charisma.

He doesn’t mind working for free if he can be Arthur Morgan

Recently, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known for his role as Negan in “The Walking Dead,” expressed at a convention his fervent desire to portray Arthur Morgan in a possible film adaptation. Morgan, who even stated that he would do it “for free,” emphasized his love for the western genre and the powerful narrative of the game, creating an atmosphere of anticipation about a hypothetical adaptation.

Despite the growing interest and requests from actors and fans, Rockstar Games has maintained a firm stance against film adaptations of Red Dead Redemption 2. On several occasions, Dan Houser and Strauss Zelnick have reiterated their desire to preserve creative control over their intellectual properties and have expressed concerns about how a bad movie could damage the reputation of such a revered franchise. The company has emphasized that relinquishing creative control to a film studio is not a viable option, stating that any adaptation should elevate the brand, not diminish its prestige.

The history of failed adaptations in the past still weighs on the industry, reaffirming Rockstar’s caution in approaching this topic. The company seems determined to keep Red Dead Redemption within the realm of video games, where its legacy remains strong.