3 reasons CJ from GTA San Andreas might never appear in GTA 6

GTA 5 has been around for almost an entire decade. Gamers have been expecting the sixth edition since 2015. Rockstar recently spoke about the upcoming installment of the series in a Newswire post. According to them, the game is well underway in active development.

Carl 'CJ' Johnson from Grand Theft Auto San Andreas is one of the most beloved characters in the series. Leaks about the next game will keep fans busy on social media. A few gamers think the next game might feature CJ. This article talks about why that seems unlikely.

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Why Carl 'CJ' Johnson won't return in GTA 6

3) Location/setting of the next game

Enter captionEnter captionEnter captionAccording to leaks and rumors GTA 6 might be set in Vice City (Image via GTA WiKi)

Following several leaks, the next game might be set in Miami (Vice City in the Grand Theft Auto Universe). Carl Johnson, A.K.A CJ is from Southern San Andreas, replicating Los Angeles from real-life.

In reality, the cities are about 3000 miles apart and sit on opposite coasts of the county. Grand Theft Auto 5 is set in Los Santos, as well as a rendition of Los Angeles. Consecutive games being placed in the exact location is highly unlikely. This makes CJ's inclusion difficult.

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2) Difference of universes

Every gamer knows that the GTA series spans three separate universes. They are the 2D, 3D and HD universe. These universes are very different from each other design-wise.

Dan says that no one before Grand Theft Auto IV will be in it (Grand Theft Auto 5)– the move to HD created a schism in this fictional universe, rendering CJ, Toni and co, as mythical characters from a bygone era - Dan Houser, Rockstar Games

This may sound a little weird, but Rockstar does not like to let characters crossover universes. This isn't as simple as it sounds. The differences are mainly on the graphical level (textures, resolutions, etc.). Bringing characters across from the 3D universe would be pretty tricky.

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1) Relation with Young Maylay (CJ's voice actor)

The GTA series has had many iconic characters and equally legendary voice actors to voice these characters. The voice actors make or break a character. In CJ's case, the voice actor was hip-hop sensation Young Maylay.

After San Andreas was released, fans loved CJ and, of course, his voice actor. Young Maylay rose to stardom overnight. The young rapper was quite unhappy with the compensation he received from Rockstar. Maylay went public and bad-mouthed Rockstar on multiple occasions. It is improbable that Maylay will make a comeback to the franchise, more so after what he said.

Grand Theft Auto 6 might not see CJ, ever. At least not voiced by Young Maylay.