Florida Joker posts final warning to Rockstar Games for GTA 6 likeness
Topics: Rockstar Games, Take-Two, Grand Theft Auto, GTA 6, PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Featured Image Credit: Rockstar Games
Topics: Rockstar Games, Take-Two, Grand Theft Auto, GTA 6, PC, PlayStation, PlayStation 5, Xbox, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
Despite excitement levels being through the roof for Grand Theft Auto VI, not everyone is happy. Well, unless you’re out to make a few million dollars for making silly demands.
Enter the ex-convicted criminal dubbed the “Florida Joker” who was parodied in the debut GTA VI trailer. According to a report from USAToday, Lawrence Sullivan shot to “fame” for having a 2017 mugshot with his face having some resemblance to DC's The Joker. Lawrence was arrested and charged with carrying a concealed firearm.
Spot the “Florida Joker” parody in the GTA VI trailer below!
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It’s no secret that throughout the years the Grand Theft Auto series has given us its fair share of satirical comedy parodying real-life situations and personalities. In the recent GTA VI trailer it featured several parodies including one of the aforementioned “Florida Joker”.
Not seeing the funny side of the parody which comes under the Fair Use law, Lawrence Sullivan demanded that he and Rockstar Games “gotta talk.” Shockingly, the video game developer did not respond. In a video, he claimed that his likeness was used, despite being a person who is quite obviously trying to impersonate the DC character Joker with several tattoos inspired by the Batman franchise.
Seemingly growing more desperate to gain a response from Rockstar Games and parent company Take-Two Interactive, the Florida Joker not only dyed his hair purple in a TikTok video to closer resemble the parody in the GTA VI trailer, but he was also sporting a prison jumpsuit (presumably purchased from a fancy dress shop). He also upped his original demands from one to two million dollars, to three million dollars.
Still ignoring the pleas of Lawrence Sullivan, the Florida Joker has now given Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive one last chance to talk. Oh, and he’s now demanded five million dollars. In this latest video, Sullivan claims that he’s spoken to his lawyers and judging by his video, his lawyers have an office situated in a park bush.
While I’m sure Sullivan would welcome a tidy fortune from the likeness used under fair use, I’m convinced he’s trolling and if so, fair play. I’d be shocked if Rockstar Games coughed up any cash, after all, if Lindsey Lohan failed, I can't see the Florida Joker having any real success other than gaining clout on his social media channels. That being said, I'm sure this will not be his last demand. Hopefully, come release, Sullivan will at least be gifted a GTA VI press kit and a box of Snickers.
Grand Theft Auto VI will be released in 2025 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.