If you're a follower of Rockstar Games on X (formerly known as Twitter), you might have been taken aback to see the renowned GTA studio posting about the British film Marching Powder and its star, Danny Dyer. The 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 endorsement from Rockstar to its 21 million followers raises questions about why they would promote a small British film and who Danny Dyer is. Let's delve into it.
Who is Danny Dyer?
Daniel John Dyer, popularly known as Danny Dyer, is a celebrated actor from East London. In the UK, he's a household name and, as Rockstar aptly described, an "absolute legend." If you're unfamiliar with British slang, the term "legend" refers to someone who is the epitome of cool, funny, and original—someone whose persona others aspire to emulate.
Dyer has been a prominent figure in the acting world since 1993, often portraying gritty, working-class characters. His public persona matches his on-screen roles; he's known for his candid views on societal and governmental issues and adopts a "tough uncle" approach to life. For instance, in 2010, he advised a Zoo magazine reader to go "on a rampage [drinking session] with the boys" to get over a breakup.
Dyer is also renowned for his entertaining social media presence, as evidenced by this memorable post:
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 voiced Kent Paul in GTA: Vice City, the manager of the Scottish rock band Love Fist. He reprised this 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, directed by Nick Love and produced by Rockstar Games. This film, which delved into the world of football hooliganism, marked a unique venture for Rockstar into 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, releasing this week in the UK and Ireland, reunites Dyer with Love. Though not a sequel, it shares themes of football hooliganism, heavy drinking, drug use, and British humor. Despite Rockstar's endorsement, they have no involvement in this new film; their support stems from their previous collaboration on The Football Factory.
Is Vice City's Kent Paul Returning for GTA 6?
As of now, there's no confirmation about Kent Paul's return in GTA 6. The X post about Marching Powder has no bearing on this speculation. However, it's worth considering the distinction between the 3D era (PS2 and PSP games) and the HD era (GTA 4 onwards) of the GTA series. These are separate universes, meaning characters and storylines don't carry over directly.
Tommy Vercetti tackles Kent Paul in Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Image credit: Rockstar Games
Despite this, there have been instances of overlap. Grove Street from San Andreas appears in GTA 5, and several gangs from the 3D universe, like the Ballas, return in the HD universe. Lazlo, another character, has been featured across both eras. Notably, Kent Paul has a star on the Vinewood Walk of Fame in GTA 5.
While it's possible that Kent Paul could make a comeback in GTA 6, the social media post about Marching Powder doesn't provide any clues. Fans will have to wait for official announcements from Rockstar to know for sure.
