GTA followers lastly have their first look at Grand Theft Auto 5 character Michael in the Grand Theft Auto universe since the sport launched again in 2013.
We are able to see Michael in the trailer for GTA Online DLC A Safehouse in the Hills, under. In the teaser for the upcoming enlargement, which provides an opulent new residence for the most profitable of on-line criminals to the on-line mode, a noticeably older, greying, Michael De Santa and his spouse Amanda may be seen greeting a participant at the entrance door of their fancy new Hollywood Hills crib. That is the first time that Michael, performed by Ned Luke, has been seen in the Grand Theft Auto universe since GTA 5 launched again in 2013.
The replace additionally settles any lingering questions round the canon ending for GTA 5, confirming as soon as and for all that Possibility C, in any other case referred to as “Deathwish”, is how the story ought to finish.
It now signifies that all three playable protagonists, with Franklin and Trevor being the different two, have appeared in GTA Online. Naturally, this implies the “Deathwish” ending is now canon in Online’s model of Los Santos, as that is the solely method that each one three characters stay alive at the finish of GTA 5’s closing mission “The Third Means” — one among three potential final ranges out there relying on the participant’s selection. For reference, “One thing Wise” is Possibility A, which leaves each Franklin and Michael alive, however kills Trevor, and “The Time’s Come” is Possibility B, ensuing in Franklin and Trevor’s survival, however Michael’s demise.
In all three potential endings, Franklin lives to stroll the streets of Los Santos, so it at all times felt pure that he’d be part of GTA Online, which takes place after the occasions of Grand Theft Auto 5. Trevor has additionally been current since 2013, giving the on-line protagonist missions and calling to berate them over the cellphone in his personal peculiar method, however that is the first time we’ve seen Michael’s face since.
Eagle-eared on-line gamers would’ve heard a small reference to the skilled financial institution robber again in 2021, although, which, though it positively alludes to Michael, didn’t 100% verify he was nonetheless round. This happens when Franklin is chasing two golfers by the Richards Majestic Studios movie lot in the centre of the metropolis. That is one among the locations Michael works in order to attain his Hollywood movie-producing goals in the primary sport’s marketing campaign. Franklin remarks, “I do know one among the producers round right here. I hope his ass ain’t work immediately…”, suggesting De Santa continues to be employed there in any case this time.
It’s curious that Rockstar has chosen to place Michael again into the world of GTA so a few years after we noticed him final, and it does beg the query of how lengthy this was deliberate for, seeing as this replace has dropped so near GTA 6’s earlier launch date of November 19, 2025. Is that this the Grand Theft Auto and Crimson Useless Redemption developer saying their closing goodbye to those characters earlier than gearing as much as unleash Lucia and Jason into the world in 2026?
How do you’re feeling about the “Deathwish” ending being chosen by Rockstar as the canonical one for GTA 5? Tell us in the feedback under. And, in fact, for every part GTA 6, follow IGN.
Simon Cardy is a Senior Editor at IGN who can primarily be discovered skulking round open world video games, indulging in Korean cinema, or despairing at the state of Tottenham Hotspur and the New York Jets. Observe him on Bluesky at @cardy.bsky.social.
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