The Grand Theft Auto VI debut trailer was revealed and fans started analyzing every frame. Now, one Florida man is demanding payment for what he claims is his likeness in the trailer.
Featured above, Lawrence Sullivan (right), the self-proclaimed “Florida Joker”, is saying Rockstar used his likeness without permission in the game’s trailer (left). Despite only appearing in the trailer for about one second, Sullivan is asking for payment from Rockstar.
“Grand Theft Auto – we gotta talk – or not you gotta give me like a mil or two,” Sullivan said in a TikTok video. “Florida Joker ain’t having that, y’all took my likeness, y’all took my life.”
Here’s the video from Sullivan:
@lawrence.sullivan0 #gta6 #gta6new #gtaonline #gta6joker #florida #maimijoker #gta6 #floridajoker #miami #305 #727 #gta6trailer #thejoker #facetattoos #jokersmile #dc #fyp #joker
It’s worth pointing out most states have laws focused on protecting people’s rights to be paid for the use of their likeness in publicity or other media – although parody is usually considered an exception to these laws.
Sullivan got his face tattooed to look like the Joker in the 2016 film Suicide Squad, which featured Jared Leto as the iconic Batman villain.
Grand Theft Auto VI isn’t launching until 2025 – and for only Xbox Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
