Jason Zumwalt, the voice of Roman Bellic in Grand Theft Auto IV, stated in an interview with the YouTube channel Love It Film that he does not understand why Rockstar has not yet released a remaster of the game for modern platforms. The actor believes now is the perfect time for a re-release and that the studio has the capability to do so. According to him, GTA 4’s graphics and animations have held up well, and there are no technical obstacles preventing an updated version.
Zumwalt isn’t just asking for a remaster; he is convinced that GTA 4 remains the best entry in the series in terms of storytelling. “I don’t think I’m biased, because I hear this from others all the time,” the actor explained. “Niko Bellic’s story was the most intimate and grounded in reality.” Unlike the grander scale of GTA 5, the fourth installment offered a personal, almost intimate drama that fans still remember to this day.
In Zumwalt’s view, the main obstacle to a remaster could be legal complications regarding SAG-AFTRA union contracts. “It might have something to do with SAG contracts. Maybe they just don’t want to open that Pandora’s box.” The actor is referring to the situation with Michael Hollick—the voice of Niko—who received around $100,000 for 15 months of work on the game and earns no royalties from sales. However, Zumwalt notes that both he and Hollick later reprised their roles in the expansions The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony, so it is unlikely that fees are the only issue.
Rumors about a GTA 4 remaster have circulated for a long time—they were widely discussed in 2025—but no official announcement has followed. Currently, Rockstar’s focus is entirely on the development of GTA 6, which is scheduled for release in November 2026. Unfortunately, a re-release of the fourth installment remains nothing more than a hope among fans. Yet GTA 4, released in 2008, sold over 25 million copies and is still considered one of the greatest games in history. Perhaps Rockstar will eventually return to Liberty City—but certainly not anytime soon.
