Jack Black has already envisioned his perfect role for Red Dead Redemption 3, should Rockstar Games ever develop the sequel: playing a historical figure who shares his name. While Rockstar focuses on launching Grand Theft Auto 6 this November, many anticipate a future Red Dead Redemption installment, given the critical and commercial success of Red Dead Redemption 2. In the absence of a movie adaptation—which Black would eagerly join—the actor, known for voicing Bowser, has set his sights on the game series instead.
During an interview with Polygon while promoting The Super Mario Galaxy Movie, Black explained his idea. "Red Dead Redemption 2 is set around the turn of the century, right?" he said. "There was a real person from that era named Jack Black, who wrote an autobiography called 'You Can't Win.' I'd love to portray him in Red Dead Redemption 3."
Published in 1926, 'You Can't Win' is the memoir of Jack Black, a professional burglar, safe-cracker, and hobo who operated in the early 20th-century American West and Canada. Its tales of crime, addiction, and imprisonment make it ideal source material for a compelling character in the Red Dead universe.
But will the modern Jack Black get to play his historical counterpart in Red Dead Redemption 3? Insiders from the series are optimistic about a sequel. Late last year, Rockstar Games co-founder and former lead writer Dan Houser suggested that Red Dead Redemption 3 "will probably happen." In 2023, Roger Clark, who played protagonist Arthur Morgan in Red Dead Redemption 2, expressed certainty that fans will see the game "one day," though he noted no specific timeline.
In a follow-up with IGN, Clark elaborated: "That comment really took off! I thought it was obvious—wouldn't you? I don't have any insider info, but of course there'll be another Red Dead. It sold over 60 million copies!" He added, "Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two, confirmed that GTA and Red Dead are key franchises for Rockstar and will be revisited. So another Red Dead is inevitable. But I doubt Arthur Morgan will be involved, and it might be a while before we hear anything new. I'm not sure how it'll unfold, but I wouldn't count on Arthur returning."
Black brought up Red Dead Redemption 3 because he's skeptical about a film adaptation ever materializing. He called it "a shame, because among all video games, theirs are the most cinematic."
