Starbreeze is expanding the heist franchise beyond gaming. In partnership with Vice Studios, the publisher has signed a deal with Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson's G-Unit Film and Television to executive produce a screen adaptation of Payday.
The announcement follows a previous deal between Starbreeze and Vice announced in March, which stated the two entities would adapt the franchise "across screen and other formats." However, whether the new project will take the form of a movie or a television series remains unspecified.
What the Deal Involves
According to Starbreeze CEO Adolf Kristjansson, the partnership aligns with the tone of the games. "Curtis and G-Unit don't do subtle, and neither do the games," Kristjansson stated in the announcement, adding that the goal is to do justice to the franchise.
Jackson echoed that sentiment regarding the collaboration with Starbreeze and Vice Studios. "Teaming up with Starbreeze and Vice Studios and bringing the world of Payday to the screen gives us the chance to build something big, a high-energy franchise that pushes the heist genre forward," Jackson said.
Unresolved Questions From Prior Agreements
The new announcement does not clarify how this agreement relates to Starbreeze's 2023 deal with production company Stockholm Syndrome, which was likewise formed to develop a Payday story for TV or film. It is currently unconfirmed whether the G-Unit and Vice Studios project follows that previous agreement or supersedes it entirely.